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 prison
2 : confinement in a jail <sentenced to jail>