penitentiaries

noun

Meaning

A state or federal prison for convicted felons; (broadly) a prison.
A priest in the Roman Catholic Church who administers the sacrament of penance.
One who prescribes the rules and measures of penance.
One who does penance.
A small building in a monastery, or a part of a church, where penitents confessed.
An office of the papal court which examines cases of conscience, confession, absolution from vows, etc., and delivers decisions, dispensations, etc.; run by a cardinal called the Grand Penitentiary who is appointed by the pope.

No prose etymology has been added yet.

No ancestor words have been linked yet.

No descendant words have been linked yet.