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gaol

[jeyl]
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noun, verb (used with object) British.
  1. jail.
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Related formsgaol·er, nounun·der·gaol·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for gaoler

Historical Examples

  • "In secret, too," grumbled the gaoler, looking at the written paper.

    A Tale of Two Cities

    Charles Dickens

  • I mount to the cell, with a fellow-citizen who is one of the Jury, directed by a gaoler.

    A Tale of Two Cities

    Charles Dickens

  • It was not a thing to be denied, nor had the gaoler any orders to deny it.

  • "He was hanged at daybreak, mistress," said the gaoler gently.

  • The gaoler opened the door, and was at once despatched, and the prisoners were released.

    Hellenica

    Xenophon

British Dictionary definitions for gaoler

gaol

noun, verb
  1. British a variant spelling of jail
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Derived Formsgaoler, noun
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 gaoler

n.

chiefly British English spelling of jailer.

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gaol

see jail, you tea-sodden football hooligan.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper