noun A state or federal prison for convicted felons; a prison.
noun A priest in the Roman Catholic Church who administers the sacrament of penance.
noun One who prescribes the rules and measures of penance.
noun One who does penance.
noun A small building in a monastery, or a part of a church, where penitents confessed.
noun An office of the papal court which examines cases of conscience, confession, absolution from vows, etc., and delivers decisions, dispensations, etc.; run by a cardinal called the Grand Penitentiary who is appointed by the pope.
noun An officer in some dioceses since 1215, vested with power from the bishop to absolve in cases reserved to him.