Webster's English Dictionary

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punish

pun.ish \'p*n-ish\ \.p*n-ish-*-'bil-*t-e-\ \'p*n-ish-*-b*l\ vb [ME 
   punisshen, fr. MF puniss-, stem of punir, fr. L punire], fr. poena penalty 
   - more at PAIN 1a: to impose a penalty on for a fault, offense, or 
   violation  1b: to inflict a penalty for the commission of (an offense) in 
   retribution  or retaliation 2a: to deal with roughly or harshly  2b: to 
   inflict injury upon : HURT  : to inflict punishment MCORRECT: PUNISH 
   implies subjecting to a penalty for wrongdoing; CHASTISE implies corporal 
   punishment; CASTIGATE implies a lashing with words; CHASTEN suggests any 
   affliction or trial that leaves one humbled or subdued; DISCIPLINE implies 
   a punishing or chastening in order to bring under control; CORRECT implies 
   punishing aimed at reforming an offender - pun.ish.abil.i.ty n SYN syn 
   CHASTISE, CASTIGATE, CHASTEN, DISCIPLINE,