Pē'nal, a.

a. [Fr. pénal, Sp. penal, It. penale, Lat. pœnalis, from pœna, punishment; Gr. ποινή.] Pertaining to punishment; as, (a.) Enacting or threatening punishment; as, a penal law or statute; the penal code. “A clause which made it penal to enter a meeting-house for the purpose of molesting the congregation.” Macaulay. (b.) Incurring punishment; subject to a penalty; as, a penal act or offense. (c.) Inflicted as punishment. “Adamantine chains and penal fire.” Milton.

Penal code, a code of laws concerning the punishment of crimes.—Penal laws, laws prohibiting an act, and imposing a penalty for committing it.