Pe"nal (?), a. [L. poenalis, fr. poena punishment: cf. F. p'enal. See Pain.]
Of or pertaining to punishment, to penalties, or to crimes and offenses; pertaining to criminal jurisprudence
: as: (a)
Enacting or threatening punishment; as, a penal statue; the penal code
. (b)
Incurring punishment; subject to a penalty; as, a penalact of offense
. (c)
Inflicted as punishment; used as a means of punishment; as, a penal colony or settlement.
"Adamantine chains and
penal fire."
Milton.
Penal code Law, a code of laws concerning crimes and offenses and their punishment. -- Penal laws, Penal statutes Law, laws prohibited certain acts, and imposing penalties for committing them. -- Penal servitude, imprisonment with hard labor, in a prison, in lieu of transportation. [Great Brit.] -- Penal suit, Penal action Law, a suit for penalties.
© Webster 1913.