n.; pl. Penalties [ F. pénalité. See Penal. ] 1. Penal retribution; punishment for crime or offense; the suffering in person or property which is annexed by law or judicial decision to the commission of a crime, offense, or trespass. [ 1913 Webster ]
Death is the penalty imposed. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. The suffering, or the sum to be forfeited, to which a person subjects himself by covenant or agreement, in case of nonfulfillment of stipulations; forfeiture; fine. [ 1913 Webster ]
The penalty and forfeit of my bond. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. A handicap. [ Sporting Cant ] [ 1913 Webster ]
☞ The term penalty is in law mostly applied to a pecuniary punishment. [ 1913 Webster ]
Bill of pains and penalties. See under Bill. --
On penalty of, or
Under penalty of, on pain of; with exposure to the penalty of, in case of transgression. [ 1913 Webster ]