Pen`i*ten"tia*ry (?), a. [Cf. F.
pénitentiaire.] 1. Relating to
penance, or to the rules and measures of penance. "A
penitentiary tax." Abp. Bramhall.
2. Expressive of penitence; as, a
penitentiary letter.
3. Used for punishment, discipline, and
reformation. "Penitentiary houses."
Blackstone.
Pen`i*ten"tia*ry, n.; pl.
Penitentiaries (#). [Cf. F.
pénitencier. See Penitent.] 1.
One who prescribes the rules and measures of penance.
[Obs.] Bacon.
2. One who does penance. [Obs.]
Hammond.
3. A small building in a monastery where
penitents confessed. Shpiley.
4. That part of a church to which penitents
were admitted. Shipley.
5. (R. C. Ch.) (a) An
office of the papal court which examines cases of conscience,
confession, absolution from vows, etc., and delivers decisions,
dispensations, etc. Its chief is a cardinal, called the Grand
Penitentiary, appointed by the pope. (b)
An officer in some dioceses since A. D. 1215, vested with
power from the bishop to absolve in cases reserved to him.
6. A house of correction, in which offenders
are confined for punishment, discipline, and reformation, and in which
they are generally compelled to labor.
