oubliette

[ oo-blee-et ]

noun

1. a secret dungeon with an opening only in the ceiling, as in certain old castles.

oubliette

/ ˌuːblɪˈɛt /

noun

1. a dungeon, the only entrance to which is through the top

Word History and Origins

Origin of oubliette¹

1810–20; < French, Middle French, equivalent to oubli ( er ) to forget, Old French oblider < Vulgar Latin *oblītāre, derivative of Latin oblītus (past participle of oblīvīscī to forget; oblivion ) + Middle French -ette -ette

Word History and Origins

Origin of oubliette¹

C19: from French, from oublier to forget

Example Sentences

Typically, La Oubliette would layer beers with meads — that ancient honey wine of the gods — to create unique and playful poured concoctions.

From Los Angeles Times

Typically, La Oubliette would layer beers with meads — that ancient honey wine of the gods — to create unique and playful poured concoctions.

From Los Angeles Times

He was not in the oubliette for long.

From The Guardian

A Morris oubliette means restraint into perfect immobility.

From New York Times

His pithy synopsis of his philosophy and methodology is as follows: “What I do with my true enemies … I put them into an oubliette. What I do with allies who fail me, I put them into an oubliette. What I do with strangers who have no function, I put them into an oubliette.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• torture chamber