Where Does Punitive Come from?
Punitive (Adj.) "Inflicting or Involving Punishment," 1620S, from French Punitif (16C.) or Directly from Medieval Latin Punitivus, from Latin Punitus, Past...
What is the root of punitive?
Punitive describes inflicting a punishment. ... An easy way to remember the meaning of punitive is that it looks like the word punish — both come from the Latin root word punire, "to inflict a penalty on." Punitive doesn't always refer to a person-to-person punishment, like a mom disciplining a child.
What does it mean if someone is punitive?
: inflicting, involving, or aiming at punishment severe punitive measures.