nonpenal
|non-pe-nal|
🇺🇸
/nɑnˈpiːnəl/
🇬🇧
/nɒnˈpiːnəl/
not subject to punishment
Etymology
'nonpenal' is formed by the prefix 'non-' + 'penal'. 'Penal' ultimately originates from Latin, specifically the word 'poenalis', where 'poena' meant 'punishment'.
'Penal' entered English via Old French 'penal' from Latin 'poenalis'; the modern English adjective 'nonpenal' was created by prefixing the productive negating prefix 'non-' to 'penal'.
Originally 'penal' meant 'relating to punishment'; by adding the prefix 'non-' the modern word 'nonpenal' came to mean 'not subject to or involving punishment'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not subject to criminal punishment; not punishable under criminal law.
The offense was considered nonpenal and was processed through civil proceedings.
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Adjective 2
not involving penal sanctions; not intended to punish (often used to describe measures or procedures).
The agency favored nonpenal measures to encourage compliance rather than fines.
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Last updated: 2025/10/31 23:03