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Where does the word "penal" come from? It comes from Latin poenalis, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).
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Where does the word "penal" come from? It comes from Latin poenalis, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).
Penal’s story begins in Latin: poenalis meant “of punishment.” From 'poena', penalty. It reached English by 1400s as penal. 'penal colonies' date from the 1800s. Today, penal means relating to punishment.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient poenalis "of punishment", from 'poena', penalty.
- Stage 2 · English · 1400s penal "punitive", 'penal colonies' date from the 1800s.