penitentiary

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a correctional institution for those convicted of major crimes
  2. adjective used for punishment or reform of criminals or wrongdoers
  3. adjective showing or constituting penance

Etymology

From Middle English penitentiary, from Medieval Latin pēnitentiārius (“place of penitence”), from Latin paenitentia (“penitence”), term used by the Quakers in Pennsylvania during the 1790s, describing a place for penitents to dwell upon their sins.

In classic literature

Synonyms

pen

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