Death is the penalty imposed. --Milton.
2. The suffering, or the sum to be forfeited, to which a
person subjects himself by covenant or agreement, in case
of nonfulfillment of stipulations; forfeiture; fine.
The penalty and forfeit of my bond. --Shak.
3. A handicap. [Sporting Cant]
Note: The term penalty is in law mostly applied to a
pecuniary punishment.
{Bill of pains and penalties}. See under {Bill}.
{On}, or {Under}, {penalty of}, on pain of; with exposure to
the penalty of, in case of transgression.
Fruit put in bottles, and the bottles let down into
wells under water, will keep long. --Bacon.
Be gathered now, ye waters under heaven, Into one
place. --Milton.
2. Hence, in many figurative uses which may be classified as
follows;
(a) Denoting relation to some thing or person that is
superior, weighs upon, oppresses, bows down, governs,
directs, influences powerfully, or the like, in a
relation of subjection, subordination, obligation,
liability, or the like; as, to travel under a heavy
load; to live under extreme oppression; to have
fortitude under the evils of life; to have patience
under pain, or under misfortunes; to behave like a
Christian under reproaches and injuries; under the
pains and penalties of the law; the condition under
which one enters upon an office; under the necessity
of obeying the laws; under vows of chastity.
I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection. --1
Cor. ix. 27.
The minstrel fell, but the foeman's chain Could not
bring his proud soul under. --Moore.
Note: Under is often used in composition with a verb to
indicate lowness or inferiority in position or degree,
in the act named by the verb; as, to underline; to
undermine; to underprop.
{Under covert} (Zo["o]l.), one of the feathers situated
beneath the bases of the quills in the wings and tail of a
bird. See Illust. under {Bird}.