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Definition of punitive - 4 dictionary results

pu⋅ni⋅tive

  [pyoo-ni-tiv]
Use punitive in a Sentence
–adjective
serving for, concerned with, or inflicting punishment: punitive laws; punitive action.
Also, pu⋅ni⋅to⋅ry  [pyoo-ni-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] .

Origin:
1615–25; < ML pūnītīvus of punishment, equiv. to L pūnīt(us) (ptp. of pūnīre to punish ) + -īvus -ive

Related forms:
pu⋅ni⋅tive⋅ly, adverb
pu⋅ni⋅tive⋅ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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pu·ni·tive   (pyōō'nĭ-tĭv)   
adj.  Inflicting or aiming to inflict punishment; punishing.

[Medieval Latin pūnītīvus, from Latin poenīre, pūnīre, to punish; see punish.]
pu'ni·tive·ly adv., pu'ni·tive·ness n.
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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Word Origin & History

punitive 
1624, "inflicting or involving punishment," from Fr. punitif (16c.), from M.L. punitivus (c.1260), from L. punitus, pp. of punire (see punish).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: pu·ni·tive
Pronunciation: 'pyü-n&-tiv
Function: adjective
: inflicting, involving, or aiming at punishment —pu·ni·tive·ly adverb —pu·ni·tive·ness noun
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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