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American Dictionary of the English Language

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Penal


PE'NAL, adjective [Latin poena; Gr. pain, punishment. See Pain.]

1. Enacting punishment; denouncing the punishment of offenses; as a penal law or statute; the penal code. penal statutes must be construed strictly.

2. Inflicting punishment.

Adamantine chains and penal fire.

3. Incurring punishment; subject to a penalty; as a penal act of offense.