See Also: punitive(dictionary)
Punitive Damages(money)
PUNITIVE DAMAGES(law)
Punitive Damages 16.15(law)

punitive (iou)



punitive adjective. E17.
[French punitif, -ive from medieval Latin punitivus, from Latin punit- pa. ppl stem of punire PUNISH: see -IVE.]
Inflicting or intended to inflict punishment; retributive, Law (of damages etc.) exceeding simple compensation and awarded to punish the defendant, exemplary; (of taxation etc.) very severe.
R. Sutcliff Destroying the local garrison will..mean a punitive expedition and their homes and..crops burned. I. Fleming Seeking alleviation from the punitive burden of the Revenue. A. Storr Punitive imprisonment for criminals.
punitively adverb M19.
punitiveness noun E18.