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Consult Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, The Chambers Thesaurus (1996) or Chambers Biographical Dictionary (1997 edition with amendments). Enter your search and choose your title from the drop-down menu.

Search results for 'penitentiary':

penitentiary noun (penitentiaries) 1 N Amer a federal or state prison. Often shortened to pen. 2 a book for guidance in imposing penances. 3 RC Church an office at Rome dealing with cases of penance, dispensations, etc. adj 1 referring or relating to punishment or penance. 2 penal or reformatory.
ETYMOLOGY: 16c.