好词典

penitentiary

UK //ˌpenɪˈtenʃəri//US //ˌpenɪˈtenʃəri//

词源

源自中世纪拉丁语 'poenitentiarius'(与忏悔相关的),后通过法语 'pénitentiaire' 进入英语,最初与宗教忏悔相关,18世纪后专指监狱。

noun

❶ 指关押重罪犯的监狱或教养所,通常用于长期监禁的场所,强调改造和惩罚功能。

“He was sentenced to ten years in the state penitentiary.”

(他被判在州立监狱服刑十年。)

“The notorious criminal escaped from the maximum-security penitentiary.”

(那个臭名昭著的罪犯从最高安全级别的监狱逃脱了。)

同义词:prison, jail, correctional facility, detention center, penal institution

adjective

❶ 与监狱或惩罚相关的,用于描述涉及监禁或改造的事物。

“The penitentiary system needs serious reform.”

(监狱制度需要重大改革。)

“He studied penitentiary law to become a prison rights advocate.”

(他学习监狱法以成为囚犯权益倡导者。)

同义词:penal, correctional, carceral

常见短语

state penitentiary — 指美国各州政府运营的大型监狱,通常关押刑期较长的罪犯。

“He was transferred to the state penitentiary after his conviction.”

(定罪后他被转移到州立监狱。)

federal penitentiary — 由联邦政府管理的监狱,关押触犯联邦法律的罪犯,安全级别通常较高。

“The drug lord was sent to a federal penitentiary for his crimes.”

(毒枭因罪行被送往联邦监狱。)