Pe"nal*ty (?), n.;
pl. Penalties (#). [F. pénalité. See Penal.]
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.
Milton. 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.
Shak.
3. A handicap. [Sporting
Cant]
&fist; The term penalty is in law mostly
applied to a pecuniary punishment.
Bill
of pains and penalties. See under Bill. -- On, or Under, penalty of, on pain of; with
exposure to the penalty of, in case of transgression.
Hear it pronounced