penalty
/ˈpenəltɪ/noun
(pl. -ies)
1
- a punishment imposed for breaking a law, rule, or contract（因违反法律、规定或合同而受到的）处罚; 刑罚：
the charge carries a maximum penalty of ten years' imprisonment.
该项指控的最高处罚是判以10年监禁。
1.1
- a disadvantage or unpleasant experience suffered as the result of an action or circumstance（行为、环境带来的）不利后果; 劣势; 苦难：
the cold never leaves my bones these days - one of the penalties of age.
这些天我总是感到冷, 这是年龄变大带来的一种恶果。
2
- (in sports and games) a disadvantage or handicap imposed on a player or team, typically for infringement of rules（尤指体育运动或比赛中对犯规选手或队的）处罚。
2.1
- a kick or shot awarded to a team because of an infringement of the rules by an opponent（对犯规队的）罚球。
2.2
- Bridge points won by the defenders when a declarer fails to make the contract【桥牌】（叫牌者未完成定约时的）罚分。
短语
under（或on）penalty of
- under the threat of在…的威胁下：
he ordered enterprises to fulfil contracts under penalty of strict fines.
他以严厉罚款相威胁, 命令企业履行合同。
词源
early 16th cent.: probably via Anglo-Norman French, from medieval Latin poenalitas, based on poena 'pain'.