penal servitude

noun

, English Criminal Law.

1. imprisonment together with hard labor.

penal servitude

noun

1. See hard labour
   English criminal law (formerly) the imprisonment of an offender and his subjection to hard labour. It was substituted for transportation in 1853 and abolished in 1948 Compare hard labour

Word History and Origins

Origin of penal servitude¹

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

A terrible criminal case was the result, and the man was sentenced to penal servitude for life.

From Project Gutenberg

Those captured in Stralsund were taken to Brest and sentenced to penal servitude.

From Project Gutenberg

The jury returned a verdict of guilty, and sentenced her to five years penal servitude.

From Project Gutenberg

In the case of any extenuating circumstances, the culprit may be sent to penal servitude with hard labour for twenty years.

From Project Gutenberg

But the most remarkable discrepancy is seen when we come to sentences of penal servitude for terms of years.

From Project Gutenberg