gaol

[ jeyl ]

/ dʒeɪl /

noun, verb (used with object) British.

jail.

Nearby words

Related formsgaol·er, nounun·der·gaol·er, noun

Definition for gaol (2 of 2)

jail

[ jeyl ]

/ dʒeɪl /

noun

a prison, especially one for the detention of persons awaiting trial or convicted of minor offenses.

verb (used with object)

to take into or hold in lawful custody; imprison.

Also British, gaol.

Origin of jail

1225–75; Middle English gaiole, jaiole, jaile < Old North French gaiole, Old French jaiole cage < Vulgar Latin *gaviola, variant of *caveola, diminutive of Latin cavea cage; see -ole¹

Related forms

jail·a·ble, adjectivejail·less, adjectivejail·like, adjectivenon·jail·a·ble, adjective

re·jail, verb (used with object)un·jailed, adjective

Can be confusedjail prison

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for gaol

The freelancer has since served a gaol term, and so too has the paper's royal correspondent.
Murdoch Lieutenant Under Fire|William Underhill|March 11, 2011|DAILY BEAST
He had had the accused in the present case under observation since the time he had been brought to the gaol.
The Shrieking Pit|Arthur J. Rees
It is known for instance that after the Malaboch war sixty-four of the tribe were incarcerated in Pretoria Gaol.
The Transvaal from Within|J. P. Fitzpatrick
The Frenchmen did so much damage to the gaol, that it cost £2000 to put it in order after their departure.
Recollections of Old Liverpool|A Nonagenarian

Every one of these poaching fellows has the hunter's instinct strongly developed, and neither fines nor gaol can frighten them.
The Chequers|James Runciman
A deputation was also appointed to wait upon the Gaol Committee.
Norfolk Annals|Charles Mackie

British Dictionary definitions for gaol (1 of 2)

gaol

/ (dʒeɪl) /

noun, verb

British a variant spelling of jail

Derived Formsgaoler, noun

British Dictionary definitions for gaol (2 of 2)

jail

gaol

/ (dʒeɪl) /

noun

a place for the confinement of persons convicted and sentenced to imprisonment or of persons awaiting trial to whom bail is not granted

get out of jail or get out of jail free informal to get out of a difficult situation

verb

(tr) to confine in prison

Derived Formsjailless or gaolless, adjectivejail-like or gaol-like, adjective

Word Origin for jail

C13: from Old French jaiole cage, from Vulgar Latin caveola (unattested), from Latin cavea enclosure; see cage : the two spellings derive from the forms of the word that developed in two different areas of France, and the spelling gaol represents a pronunciation in use until the 17th century

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for gaol (1 of 3)

gaol

see jail, you tea-sodden football hooligan.

Word Origin and History for gaol (1 of 3)

jail

late 13c., gayhol, from Old North French gaiole and Old French jaole, both meaning "a cage, prison," from Medieval Latin gabiola, from Late Latin caveola, diminutive of Latin cavea "cage, enclosure, stall, coop" (see cave (n.)). Both forms carried into Middle English; now pronounced "jail" however it is spelled. Persistence of Norman-derived gaol (preferred in Britain) is "chiefly due to statutory and official tradition" [OED].

Word Origin and History for gaol (2 of 3)

jail

"to put in jail," c.1600, from jail (n.). Related: Jailed; jailing.