I. ˈpen ə ltē, -ti noun
( -es )
Etymology: modification (influenced by -ty ) of Medieval Latin poenalitas, from Latin poenalis penal + -itas -ity
1.
a. : the suffering in person, rights, or property which is annexed by law or judicial decision to the commission of a crime or public offense : punishment for crime or offense : penal retribution
where a life sentence is the extreme penalty
trespassing forbidden under penalty of imprisonment
specifically : a fine or mulct imposed as such a punishment
b. : a sum of money made recoverable in a civil action by the state or an informer for the less serious offenses not mala in se — compare fine
2. : the suffering or the sum to be forfeited to which a person subjects himself by covenant or agreement in case of nonfulfillment of stipulations and which is if imposed in good faith as liquidated damages in general recoverable and enforceable in equity : forfeiture , fine
3. : disadvantage, loss, or hardship due to some action (as transgression or error)
4. : a disadvantage (as loss of yardage, time, or possession of the ball) imposed for violation of the rules of a contest
5.
a. usually plural : points scored in bridge by a side that defeats the opposing contract
b. : royalty 6
II. adjective
1.
a. of government free mail : imprinted with the penalty clause
a penalty envelope
penalty labels
penalty mail
b. : of or relating to the use of penalty mail
the penalty privilege
2. : involving or received in compensation for hardship
penalty taxation
penalty cargo
penalty overtime
penalty pay
a penalty throw
3.
a. : imposed as a penalty
penalty time
a penalty charge
b. : used in determining or carrying out a penalty
crossed the penalty line
penalty spot
4. : being or containing a clause specifying a penalty for violation of an agreement or regulation
a penalty bond
contained certain penalty provisions