What is "penal action"

Penal \Pe"nal\, a. [L. poenalis, fr. poena punishment: cf. F. p['e]nal. See Pain.] Of or pertaining to punishment, to penalties, or to crimes and offenses; pertaining to criminal jurisprudence: as:

1. Enacting or threatening punishment; as, a penal statue; the penal code.

2. Incurring punishment; subject to a penalty; as, a penalact of offense.

3. Inflicted as punishment; used as a means of punishment; as, a penal colony or settlement. ``Adamantine chains and penal fire.''
   --Milton.

   Penal code (Law), a code of laws concerning crimes and offenses and their punishment.

   Penal laws, Penal statutes (Law), laws prohibited certain acts, and imposing penalties for committing them.

   Penal servitude, imprisonment with hard labor, in a prison, in lieu of transportation. [Great Brit.]

   Penal suit, Penal action (Law), a suit for penalties.