bridewell

[ brahyd-wel, -wuhl ]

noun

, British.

1. a prison.

bridewell

/ -wəl; ˈbraɪdˌwɛl /

noun

1. a house of correction; jail, esp for minor offences

Word History and Origins

Origin of bridewell¹

First recorded in 1545–55; after a prison that formerly stood near the church of St. Bride in London

Word History and Origins

Origin of bridewell¹

C16: after Bridewell (originally, St Bride's Well ), a house of correction in London

Example Sentences

But later that evening the protest turned violent outside Bridewell Street police station in the city centre.

From BBC

York had been attending a vigil for murdered Sarah Everard that afternoon, the court heard, but joined crowds marching to Bridewell police station to demonstrate against the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, known as a Kill the Bill protest.

From BBC

Ryan Roberts, 25, from Easton in the city was part of a protest outside Bridewell police station on 21 March.

From BBC

He attempted to set fire to a police van with one officer inside near Bridewell Police Station, and was found guilty of attempted arson with intent to endanger life.

From BBC

“Bridewell!” exclaimed Colonel Dent, and the charade was solved.

From Literature