\Pen`i*ten"tia*ry\, a. [Cf. F. p['e]nitentiaire.]
1. Relating to penance, or to the rules and measures of
   penance. ``A penitentiary tax.'' --Abp. Bramhall.
2. Expressive of penitence; as, a penitentiary letter.
3. Used for punishment, discipline, and reformation.
   ``Penitentiary houses.'' --Blackstone.

\Pen`i*ten"tia*ry\, n.; pl. {Penitentiaries}. [Cf.
F. p['e]nitencier. See {Penitent}.]
1. One who prescribes the rules and measures of penance.
   [Obs.] --Bacon.
2. One who does penance. [Obs.] --Hammond.
3. A small building in a monastery where penitents confessed.
   --Shpiley.
4. That part of a church to which penitents were admitted.
   --Shipley.
5. (R. C. Ch.)
   (a) An office of the papal court which examines cases of
       conscience, confession, absolution from vows, etc.,
       and delivers decisions, dispensations, etc. Its chief
       is a cardinal, called the Grand Penitentiary,
       appointed by the pope.
   (b) An officer in some dioceses since A. D. 1215, vested
       with power from the bishop to absolve in cases
       reserved to him.
6. A house of correction, in which offenders are confined for
   punishment, discipline, and reformation, and in which they
   are generally compelled to labor.