bridewell

[ brahyd-wel, -wuhl ]

nounBritish.
  1. a prison.

Origin of bridewell

1
First recorded in 1545–55; after a prison that formerly stood near the church of St. Bride in London

Words Nearby bridewell

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How to use bridewell in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for bridewell

bridewell

/ (ˈbraɪdˌwɛl, -wəl) /


noun
  1. a house of correction; jail, esp for minor offences

Origin of bridewell

1
C16: after Bridewell (originally, St Bride's Well), a house of correction in London

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