WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Pun"ish
Part of Speech : v.
Etymology : [OE. punischen, F. punir, from L. punire, punitum, akin to poena punishment, penalty. See Pain, and -ish.]
Definition : 1. To impose a penalty upon; to afflict with pain, loss, or suffering for a crime or fault, either with or without a view to the offender's amendment; to cause to suffer in retribution; to chasten; as, to punish traitors with death; a father punishes his child for willful disobedience. A greater power Now ruled him, punished in the shape he sinned. Milton.

2. To inflict a penalty for (an offense) upon the offender; to repay, as a fault, crime, etc., with pain or loss; as, to punish murder or treason with death.

3. To injure, as by beating; to pommel. [Low]

Syn. -- To chastise; castigate; scourge; whip; lash; correct; discipline. See Chasten.

t. [imp. & p. p. Punished; p. pr. & vb. n. Punishing.]
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913