Pun"ish (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Punished (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Punishing.] [OE. punischen, F. punir, from L.
punire, punitum, akin to poena punishment,
penalty. See Pain, and -ish.] 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.
Pun"ish, v. t. To deal with roughly
or harshly; -- chiefly used with regard to a contest; as, our troops
punished the enemy. [Colloq. or Slang]