oubliette

noun

ou·​bli·​ette ˌü-blē-ˈet 

: a dungeon with an opening only at the top

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Let the novel open like an oubliette under your feet. —Parul Sehgal, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2019

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French, from oublier to forget, from Old French oblier, from Vulgar Latin *oblitare, frequentative of Latin oblivisci to forget — more at oblivion

First Known Use

1777, in the meaning defined above