\Pe"nal\, a. [L. poenalis, fr. poena punishment: cf. F.
p['e]nal. See {Pain}.]
Of or pertaining to punishment, to penalties, or to crimes
and offenses; pertaining to criminal jurisprudence: as:
(a) Enacting or threatening punishment; as, a penal statue;
    the penal code.
(b) Incurring punishment; subject to a penalty; as, a
    penalact of offense.
(c) Inflicted as punishment; used as a means of punishment;
    as, a penal colony or settlement. ``Adamantine chains and
    penal fire.'' --Milton.
{Penal code} (Law), a code of laws concerning crimes and
   offenses and their punishment.
{Penal laws}, {Penal statutes} (Law), laws prohibited certain
   acts, and imposing penalties for committing them.
{Penal servitude}, imprisonment with hard labor, in a prison,
   in lieu of transportation. [Great Brit.]
{Penal suit}, {Penal action} (Law), a suit for penalties.