Penalty /(?)/

Pe·nal·ty

Penalty

n.

pl. Penalties

  1. Penal retribution; punishment for crime or offense; the suffering in person or property which is annexed by law or judicial decision to the commission of a crime, offense, or trespass.
    Death is the penalty imposed.
  2. The suffering, or the sum to be forfeited, to which a person subjects himself by covenant or agreement, in case of nonfulfillment of stipulations; forfeiture; fine.
    The penalty and forfeit of my bond.
  3. A handicap. [Sporting Cant]

Phrases & Compounds
Bill of pains and penalties
See under Bill.
On penalty of
on pain of; with exposure to the penalty of, in case of transgression.