PENALTY Meaning and
Definition
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A penalty refers to a punishment or consequence imposed by an authority or institution in response to a violation of rules or laws. It can also indicate a sanction or fine levied as a result of non-compliance with regulations. The term typically entails a negative outcome intended to discourage or deter undesirable behavior.
In legal contexts, penalties are often established to maintain societal order and prevent the recurrence of offense. They are commonly enforced in criminal justice systems worldwide to hold individuals accountable for their wrongdoing. Penalties can range from monetary fines to imprisonment, probation, or community service, depending on the severity of the offense and the jurisdiction.
Penalties can also be found in various non-legal domains such as sports, where they serve as disciplinary measures for rule infractions during competition. Examples include penalties in football, hockey, or rugby, where players may be temporarily suspended or teams may endure disadvantages during play. Similarly, penalties can be applied in academic settings, where students might face disciplinary actions, such as reduced grades or academic probation, when they violate institutional rules or regulations.
Overall, the concept of penalties involves the imposition of punitive measures or consequences intended to discourage or rectify a transgression, ensuring compliance with prescribed rules, regulations, or laws.
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Punishment inflicted by law, either on the person or by a money fine; a forfeiture for non-payment or noncompliance; fine or mulct.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for PENALTY *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for PENALTY
Etymology of PENALTY
The word "penalty" has its etymology rooted in Latin. It derives from the Latin word "poena", which means "punishment" or "penalty". In the Late Latin period, "poena" evolved into "penalitas", meaning "punishment" or "penalty".
From there, the word entered Old French as "penalité" and eventually made its way into Middle English, where it took the form "penalte", initially used to refer to the legal sense of punishment or fine due to an offense or wrongdoing. Over time, "penalte" transformed into the modern English word "penalty", which retained its original sense of punishment or sanction for a violation.
Idioms with the word PENALTY
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pay the penalty
The idiom "pay the penalty" means to suffer the consequences or bear the punishment for one's actions or mistakes. It refers to facing the negative outcomes and accepting the responsibility for one's wrongdoings.
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penalty box
The idiom "penalty box" refers to a situation where someone is being punished, facing consequences, or temporarily sidelined for an error or wrongdoing they have committed. It originates from ice hockey, where a player is sent to the penalty box as a consequence for violating the rules.
Similar spelling words for PENALTY
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