n. & adj.
n. (pl. -ies) 1 US a reformatory prison. 2 an office in the papal court deciding questions of penance, dispensations, etc.
adj. 1 of or concerning penance. 2 of or concerning reformatory treatment. 3 US (of an offence) making a culprit liable to a prison sentence. Grand Penitentiary a cardinal presiding over the penitentiary.
[ ME f. med.L paenitentiarius (adj. & n.) (as PENITENT) ]