"next to the last, immediately proceeding that member of a series which is the last," 1670s, from penultima (n.) on model of proximate. Earlier was penultim (mid-15c.), from Old French penultime.
the author inadvertently reveals the murderer in the penultimate chapter
pentecostal
penthouse
Pentothal
penult
penultima
penultimate
penumbra
penurious
penury
Penzance
peon