jail

jail   (jāl)    n.   A place for the confinement of persons in lawful detention, especially persons awaiting trial under local jurisdiction. Detention in a jail. tr.v.   jailed, jail·ing, jails To detain in or as if in a jail. [From Middle English jaiole (from Old French) and from Middle English gaiol, gaol (from Old North French gaiole), both from Vulgar Latin *gaviola, from Latin *caveola, diminutive of cavea, cage, hollow.]

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