grand penitentiary

grand pen·i·ten·tia·ry

G g

Definitions of grand penitentiary words

noun grand penitentiary See under penitentiary (def 3). 1
noun plural grand penitentiary a place for imprisonment, reformatory discipline, or punishment, especially a prison maintained in the U.S. by a state or the federal government for serious offenders. 1
noun plural grand penitentiary Roman Catholic Church. a tribunal in the Curia Romana, presided over by a cardinal (grand penitentiary) having jurisdiction over certain matters, as penance, confession, dispensation, absolution, and impediments, and dealing with questions of conscience reserved for the Holy See. 1
adjective grand penitentiary (of an offense) punishable by imprisonment in a penitentiary. 1
adjective grand penitentiary of, relating to, or intended for imprisonment, reformatory discipline, or punishment. 1
adjective grand penitentiary penitential. 1

before 1375

One of the 22% oldest English words

1375-1425; late Middle English penitenciarie priest who administers penance, prison < Medieval Latin pēnitēntiārius of penance. See penitence, -ary

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This term is known only to a narrow circle of people with rare knowledge. Only 5% of English native speakers know the meaning of this word.

According to our data most of word are more popular. This word is almost not used. It has a much more popular synonym.

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

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