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Bible Dictionaries
Penitentiary
Webster's Dictionary
or (1):
(n.) That part of a church to which penitents were admitted.
(2):
(n.) A small building in a monastery where penitents confessed.
(3):
(n.) A house of correction, in which offenders are confined for punishment, discipline, and reformation, and in which they are generally compelled to labor.
(4):
(n.) One who prescribes the rules and measures of penance.
(5):
(n.) 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.
(6):
(n.) One who does penance.
(7):
(a.) Used for punishment, discipline, and reformation.
(8):
(a.) Expressive of penitence; as, a penitentiary letter.
(9):
(a.) Relating to penance, or to the rules and measures of penance.
(10):
(n.) An officer in some dioceses since A. D. 1215, vested with power from the bishop to absolve in cases reserved to him.
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Webster, Noah. Entry for 'Penitentiary'. Noah Webster's American Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/web/p/penitentiary.html. 1828.
