bridewell

English

Etymology

From Bridewell (named after a well dedicated to St Bride), an area of London that once had a "house of correction".

Noun

bridewell (plural bridewells) (Sometimes capitalised)

  1. (dated in Britain, rare elsewhere) A small prison, or a police station that has cells.
    • 2002, Joseph O'Conner, Star of the Sea, Vintage 2003, p. xix:
      Two Fermanagh girls who never laughed were certain that he must have served time in a bridewell, so cold was his expression and so calloused his small hands.

Quotations
  • For quotations of use of this term, see Citations:bridewell.

Usage notes
  • Several English cities have streets named "Bridewell" where a police station is located.
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