bridewell

American  

[brahyd-wel, -wuhl] / ˈbraɪdˌwɛl, -wəl /

noun

British.

1. a prison.

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bridewell British  

/ -wəl, ˈbraɪdˌwɛl /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of bridewell

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

Example Sentences

After two weeks in the bridewell, Novelist Yehling changed his literary plans: "I think I'll join the Army and try to write a better book than Tolstoi's War and Peace."

From Time Magazine Archive

Very sure I am that in Boston or Salem or Plymouth she would see the bridewell and he the stocks for half as much.

From The Refugees by Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir

To mill doll; to beat hemp in bridewell.

From 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue by Grose, Francis

Rent by faction as she is, there is nothing for her but a bridewell or a guard-house--the grinding tyranny of England or the military despotism of France!'

From My Lords of Strogue, Vol. II (of III) A Chronicle of Ireland, from the Convention to the Union by Wingfield, Lewis

Now, be Hivens, th' rich have invaded even th' coorts an' the bridewell.

From Mr. Dooley Says by Dunne, Finley Peter