Punition

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The act of imposing a penalty or consequence for wrongdoing or disobedience
2. A measure taken to reprimand or penalize someone for breaking rules or laws
3. An action serving as retribution or correction for an offense committed

Etymology: "Punition" is a fairly plain borrowing: English took it from Latin "punitio," a noun meaning the act of punishing, which is built on the verb "punire," to punish. The word passed into English by way of French, where "punition" carries the same sense, so the English form is essentially a French-shaped version of the Latin noun. It sits alongside "punish" in the same family. The verb "punish" came into English through Old French "punir" from Latin "punire," so the two words share a root and a line of descent, but "punition" is the noun that names the penalty itself rather than the act of penalizing.

Synonyms: penalty, punishment

Antonyms: reward, forgiveness