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Definition of penalty - 3 dictionary results
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pen⋅al⋅ty

  [pen-l-tee]
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–noun, plural -ties.
1. a punishment imposed or incurred for a violation of law or rule.
2. a loss, forfeiture, suffering, or the like, to which one subjects oneself by nonfulfillment of some obligation.
3. something that is forfeited, as a sum of money.
4. a disadvantage imposed upon one of the competitors or upon one side for infraction of the rules of a game, sport, etc.
5. consequence or disadvantage attached to any action, condition, etc.
Origin:
1505–15; ≪ ML poenālitās. See penal, -ty 2
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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pen·al·ty   (pěn'əl-tē)   
n.   pl. pen·al·ties

  1. A punishment established by law or authority for a crime or offense.

  2. Something, especially a sum of money, required as a forfeit for an offense.

  3. The disadvantage or painful consequences resulting from an action or condition: neglected his health and paid the penalty.

  4. Sports

    1. A punishment, handicap, or loss of advantage imposed on a team or competitor for infraction of a rule.

    2. An infraction of a rule; a foul.

  5. Games Points scored in contract bridge by the opponents when the declarer fails to make a bid. Often used in the plural.


[Middle English penalte, from Old French penalite, from Medieval Latin poenālitās, from Latin poenālis, penal; see penal.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: pen·al·ty
Pronunciation: 'pen-&l-tE
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -ties
1 : a punishment that is imposed on a wrongdoer by statute or judicial decision
2 : a pecuniary sum that by agreement is to be paid by a party who fails to fulfill an obligation to another and that is punitive rather than compensatory penalty and determined actual damages instead>
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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