English主要词典
penal
Universal Words
adjective [usuallybeforenoun]
1 connected with or used for punishment, especially by law:
penal laws / reforms * the penal system * Criminals could at one time be sentenced to penal servitude (= prison with hard physical work). * a penal colony (= a place where criminals were sent as a punishment in the past)
2 that can be punished by law:
a penal offence
3 very severe:
penal rates of interest