penitentiary

 
Pronunciation: /ˌpɛnɪˈtɛnʃ(ə)ri/

noun (plural penitentiaries)

  • 1North American a prison for people convicted of serious crimes.
  • 2(in the Roman Catholic Church) a priest appointed to administer penance.
  • an office in the papal court forming a tribunal for deciding on questions relating to penance, dispensations, and absolution.

Origin:

late Middle English (as a term in ecclesiastical law): from medieval Latin paenitentiarius, from Latin paenitentia 'repentance'. The North American usage dates from the early 19th century