Penalty
/ˈpɛn.əl.ti/noun
A punishment imposed for breaking a law, rule, or contract.
Did you know?The word 'penalty' traces back to a Latin term meaning 'pain' or 'suffering', reflecting the dark origins of punishment.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
poena
“Punishment or penalty, associated with pain and suffering.”
Old French
Old French
penalite
“A form of punishment or penalty, derived from Latin.”
Middle English
Middle English
penaltie
“A term for punishment, borrowed from Old French.”
Modern English
English
penalty
“A formal term for the punishment of an offense, solidified in legal contexts.”