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.