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plural bridewells
(sometimes capitalised, dated in British, Ireland, rare elsewhere) A small prison, or a police station that has cells. quotations
Others in the Bridewell heard him screaming. Even prison doctors could see. His injuries were not self-inflicted. Those who tipped the scales did not agree.
1983, “The Wicklow Boy”, in The Time Has Come, performed by Christy Moore, produced by Dónal Lunny
Two Fermanagh girls who never laughed were certain that he must have served time in a bridewell, so cold was his expression and so calloused his small hands.
2002, Joseph O'Conner, Star of the Sea, Vintage, published 2003, page xix