Definition of jail

< jai alai

jailbait >

jail    (jl) KEY 

NOUN:

1. A place for the confinement of persons in lawful detention, especially persons awaiting trial under local jurisdiction.
2. Detention in a jail.

TRANSITIVE VERB:
jailed, jail·ing, jails

To detain in or as if in a jail.

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ETYMOLOGY:
From Middle English jaiole (from Old French), and from Middle English gaiol, gaol (from Old North French gaiole) both from Vulgar Latin *gaviola, from Latin *caveola, diminutive of cavea, cage, hollow