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
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
oubliettes
noun
as in dungeons
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- dungeons
- jails
- prisons
- penitentiaries
- stockades
- cages
- brigs
- lockups
- keeps
- bastilles
- cells
- guardrooms
- bridewells
- pens
- tanks
- jugs
- coolers
- big houses
- tolbooths
- pokeys
- clinks
- jailhouses
- slammers
- nicks
- wards
- gulags
- guardhouses
- hocks
- hulks
- coops
- calabooses
- hoosegows
- stirs
- joints
- quods
- bull pens
- holes
- reformatories
- slams
- glasshouses
- cans
- holds
- blocks
- labor camps
- prison camps
- concentration camps
- stalags
- work camps
- reform schools
- training schools
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- outsides