Definition of penitentiary
- a. - Relating to penance, or to the rules and measures of
penance.
- a. - Expressive of penitence; as, a penitentiary letter.
- a. - Used for punishment, discipline, and reformation.
- n. - One who prescribes the rules and measures of penance.
- n. - One who does penance.
- n. - A small building in a monastery where penitents
confessed.
- n. - That part of a church to which penitents were
admitted.
- n. - An office of the papal court which examines cases of
conscience, confession, absolution from vows, etc., and delivers
decisions, dispensations, etc. Its chief is a cardinal, called the
Grand Penitentiary, appointed by the pope.
- n. - An officer in some dioceses since A. D. 1215, vested
with power from the bishop to absolve in cases reserved to him.
- n. - A house of correction, in which offenders are
confined for punishment, discipline, and reformation, and in which they
are generally compelled to labor.