GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
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Found one definition
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Penal (?), a. [L. poenalis, fr. poena punishment: cf. F. pénal. See Pain.] Of or pertaining to punishment, to penalties, or to crimes and offenses; pertaining to criminal jurisprudence: as: (a) Enacting or threatening punishment; as, “a penal statue; the penal code”. (b) Incurring punishment; subject to a penalty; as, “a penal act or offense”. (c) Inflicted as punishment; used as a means of punishment; as, “a penal colony or settlement”. “Adamantine chains and penal fire.” Milton.
[1913 Webster]
Penal code (Law), a code of laws concerning crimes and offenses and their punishment. -- Penal laws, Penal statutes (Law), laws prohibiting certain acts, and imposing penalties for committing them. -- Penal servitude, imprisonment with hard labor, in a prison, in lieu of transportation. [Great Brit.] -- Penal suit, Penal action (Law), a suit for penalties.
[1913 Webster]