bridewell

[ brahyd-wel, -wuhl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, British.

bridewell

/ -wəl; ˈbraɪdˌwɛl /

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

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

Bridewell, the name of the famous prison, also came from the name of a well dedicated to St. Bride.

Th' coort wud give him a letther of inthroduction to th' bridewell an' he cud stay there f'r two hundhred days.

Forty or fifty night-walkers were sent every week to Bridewell, and numbers were induced to emigrate to the colonies.

He underwent an examination; but, refusing to make any confession, he was sent to Tothill-fields Bridewell.

He was immediately conveyed to Tothill-fields Bridewell, where he remained till he was again sent out of the country.

Browse