Gaol - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Gaol is an older British spelling of jail, meaning a place where people are held as punishment for crimes or while awaiting trial. It is now less commonly used.
Definition:
A place for the confinement of prisoners; an archaic or British variant of "jail."
Synonyms:
prison, jail, penitentiary, lockup
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
freedom, liberty
Common Collocations:
gaol sentence, gaol term, gaol break, gaol cell
Derivatives:
gaoler, gaoled, gaoling
Usage Tips:
Use "gaol" in British contexts; "jail" is preferred in American English but means the same thing.
Common Phrases:
break out of gaol, sent to gaol, gaol fever
Etymology:
Derived from Old French "gaiole," meaning "cage," influenced by Latin "caveola," a diminutive of "cavea."
Examples:
- 1. The thief was sent to gaol for his crimes.
- 2. She visited her brother in gaol every Sunday.
- 3. The old gaol is now a museum.
- 4. He escaped from gaol but was caught again.