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gaol

 - 5 dictionary results

gaol

  [jeyl]
Use gaol in a Sentence
–noun, verb (used with object) British.
jail.
Related forms:
gaoler, noun

jail

  [jeyl]
–noun
1. a prison, esp. one for the detention of persons awaiting trial or convicted of minor offenses.
–verb (used with object)
2. to take into or hold in lawful custody; imprison.
Also, British, gaol.

Origin:
1225–75; ME gaiole, jaiole, jaile < ONF gaiole, OF jaiole cage < VL *gaviola, var. of *caveola, dim. of L cavea cage; see -ole 1

Related forms:
jail⋅a⋅ble, adjective
jailless, adjective
jaillike, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To gaol
gaol   (jāl)   
n.   & v. Chiefly British
Variant of jail.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: gaol, gaol·er
gaol·er chiefly British variant of JAIL, JAILER

Main Entry: jail
Pronunciation: 'jAl
Function: noun
: a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody; specifically : such a place under the jurisdiction of a local government (as a county) for the confinement of persons awaiting trial or those convicted of minor crimes —compare HOUSE OF CORRECTION, HOUSE OF DETENTION, LOCKUP, PENITENTIARY, PRISON —jail transitive verb
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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