Main Entry:

¹jail

Pronunciation:

\ˈjāl\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English jaiole, from Anglo-French gaiole, jaiole, from Late Latin caveola, diminutive of Latin cavea cage — more at cage

Date:

13th century

1: a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody ; specifically : such a place under the jurisdiction of a local government (as a county) for the confinement of persons awaiting trial or those convicted of minor crimes — compare prison2: confinement in a jail <sentenced to jail>