Word a Day
penal
What does penal mean?
penal (adjective): of or relating to punishment.
Definition: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
How do you pronounce penal?
/ˈpinəl/ (IPA, American English). The app reads every word aloud.
Where does penal come from?
From Old French peinal, from Medieval Latin penalis.
Etymology: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Test yourself: do you know “penal”?
Tap an answer to check it. The same questions the app asks.
What does “penal” mean?
specific; discrete; concrete
Not quite: that's what particular means.
all-encompassing, all around
Not quite: that's what overall means.
distinct, sharp, well-marked
Not quite: that's what clear means.
of or relating to punishment
Right! That's what “penal” means.
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