Middle English Dictionary Entry
pēnāl adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | pēnāl adj. Also penalle & (pl.) penal(es. |
| Etymology | OF peinal & ML pēnālis. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Pertaining to punishment by law; articles ~, penal clauses in a statute; ordinaunces penales, penal laws; (b) causing, or characterized by, pain or hardship.
Associated quotations
a
- (1439) RParl.5.8a : Purveours of his [the King's] Houshold taken dayly for hym of his peple of this land their..Vitaille and Stuff..more yan is necessarie to his Hous..notwithstondyng full noble Ordinances penales that have ben mad therof.
- (1447) Doc.N.Convocation in Sur.Soc.113178 : The which words..may not therefor resonably be extended ferther, namly considering the wordes of the penall resone.
- (1447) Doc.N.Convocation in Sur.Soc.113180 : Such statutes as be penall owe not of reason..to be rigorously understande ne extende over the playnes of the termes.
- (1467) Ordin.Wor.403 : It ys ordeyned by this present yeld, that for alle the articles penalle, ordeyned and affermed by the same, that..eny summes forfett shulde be payde..to the Bayllies and..the comyn tresor.
b
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)408 : Þouȝ it be so þat peyne makiþ satisfaccioun for synne..ȝit oþere moral vertues of outward worching ben more penal þan preier, and..men wolde seie þat deedis ben not satisfactorie or prouocatorie but in as myche as þei ben penal.
- (1472-3) RParl.6.60a : The sales of the said Merchaundises of the Staple is receyved oonly money..which hath no cours within this Reame..withoute eschaunge made in the Landes beyond the See, which..shuld be unto theym by dyvers..Statutes to excessively grevous and penall.