v.tr.
1. cause (an offender) to suffer for an offence.
2 inflict a penalty for (an offence).
3 colloq. inflict severe blows on (an opponent).
4 a tax severely; subject to severe treatment. b abuse or treat improperly.
Derivatives:
punishable adj. punisher n. punishing adj. (in sense 4a). punishingly adv.
Etymology: ME f. OF punir f. L punire poenire f. poena penalty