'punitive damages' definitions:

Definition of 'punitive damages'

noun

(law) compensation in excess of actual damages (a form of punishment awarded in cases of malicious or willful misconduct) [syn: punitive damages, exemplary damages, smart money]

Definition of 'punitive damages'

From: GCIDE

Damage \Dam"age\ (d[a^]m"[asl]j; 48), n. [OF. damage, domage, F. dommage, fr. assumed LL. damnaticum, from L. damnum damage. See Damn.]
1. Injury or harm to person, property, or reputation; an inflicted loss of value; detriment; hurt; mischief. [1913 Webster]
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet and drinketh damage. --Prov. xxvi. 6. [1913 Webster]
Great errors and absurdities many commit for want of a friend to tell them of them, to the great damage both of their fame and fortune. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]
2. pl. (Law) The estimated reparation in money for detriment or injury sustained; a compensation, recompense, or satisfaction to one party, for a wrong or injury actually done to him by another. [1913 Webster]
Note: In common-law actions, the jury are the proper judges of damages. [1913 Webster]
Consequential damage. See under Consequential.
Exemplary damages (Law), damages imposed by way of example to others. Similar in purpose to vindictive damages, below.
Nominal damages (Law), those given for a violation of a right where no actual loss has accrued.
vindictive damages or punitive damages, those given specially for the punishment of the wrongdoer.
Syn: Mischief; injury; harm; hurt; detriment; evil; ill. See Mischief. [1913 Webster]