Where does “penal” come from?
penal (Spanish) comes from Late Latin poenalis, from Latin poena, from Ancient Greek ποινή, from Proto-Hellenic kʷoinā́, from Proto-Indo-European kʷoynéh₂, from Proto-Indo-European kʷey- — to pay; to avenge.
penal (Spanish): penal; a kind of prison; penalty
Definitions
- penal; a kind of prison; penalty
Ancestry of “penal”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Late Latin | poenalis | penal; penal; of or pertaining to punishment |
| 2 | Latin | poena | penalty; punishment; execution |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | ποινή | blood money, wergeld; fine, ransom, penalty,... |
| 4 | Proto-Hellenic | kʷoinā́ | — |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | kʷoynéh₂ | payment; punishment, vengeance |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | kʷey- | to pay; to avenge |