Penal \Pe"nal\, a. [L. poenalis, fr. poena punishment: cf.
         F.
   p['e]nal. See Pain.]
   Of or pertaining to
         punishment, to penalties, or to crimes
   and offenses;
         pertaining to criminal jurisprudence: as:
   (a) Enacting
         or threatening punishment; as, a penal statue;
       the
         penal code.
   (b) Incurring punishment; subject to a
         penalty; as, a penal
       act or offense.
   (c)
         Inflicted as punishment; used as a means of punishment;
   
            as, a penal colony or settlement. "Adamantine chains
         and
       penal fire." --Milton.
       [1913
         Webster]

   Penal
         code (Law), a code of laws concerning
         crimes and
      offenses and their punishment.

  
         Penal laws, {Penal
         statutes} (Law), laws prohibiting
    
          certain acts, and imposing penalties for committing them.

              

   Penal
         servitude, imprisonment with hard labor,
         in a prison,
      in lieu of transportation. [Great
         Brit.]

   Penal
         suit, Penal
         action (Law), a suit for
         penalties.
      [1913 Webster]