Origin: 1300–50;Middle Englishpunischen < Middle Frenchpuniss-, long stem of punir < Latinpūnīre; akin to poenapenalty, pain
Related forms
pun·ish·er, noun
o·ver·pun·ish, verb
pre·pun·ish, verb (used with object)
qua·si-pun·ished, adjective
re·pun·ish, verb
self-pun·ished, adjective
self-pun·ish·er, noun
un·pun·ished, adjective
well-pun·ished, adjective
Synonyms 1. chastise, castigate. Punish, correct, discipline refer to making evident public or private disapproval of violations of law, wrongdoing, or refusal to obey rules or regulations by imposing penalties. To punish is chiefly to inflict penalty or pain as a retribution for misdeeds, with little or no expectation of correction or improvement: to punish a thief. To correct is to reprove or inflict punishment for faults, specifically with the idea of bringing about improvement: to correct a rebellious child.To discipline is to give a kind of punishment that will educate or will establish useful habits: to discipline a careless driver.1, 2. penalize.
mid-14c., from O.Fr. puniss-, extended prp. stem of punir "to punish," from L. punire "inflict a penalty on, cause pain for some offense," earlier poenire, from poena "penalty, punishment" (see penal). Colloquial meaning "to inflict heavy damage or loss" is first recorded
1801, originally in boxing. Punishing "hard-hitting" is from 1811.