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prison — a building where criminals are kept as punishment

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a building where criminals are kept as punishment

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈprɪzən/

Example Sentences

  • My mom said my room looks like a prison cell.
  • The famous criminal escaped from prison last night.
  • Working overtime every day feels like prison.

prison

NOUN

[/ˈprɪzən/]

a building where criminals are kept as punishment

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈprɪzən/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈprɪzən/

🌳Etymology

Rootpris
Suffix--on

Origin

The word 'prison' derives from Old French 'prison', which evolved from the Latin verb 'prehendere', meaning 'to seize' or 'to capture'. The semantic shift reflects the institution's fundamental purpose: a place where freedom is seized and confined.

Breakdown

Latin 'prehendere' (to seize, capture) → Old French 'prison' (act of seizing; place of confinement) → English 'prison'. The suffix -ion indicates a state or condition of being seized.

🎵Rhyme

risen
arisen

🔗Collocations

prison guard
go to prison
prison sentence
escape from prison
maximum security prison

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My mom said my room looks like a prison cell.”

“The famous criminal escaped from prison last night.”

😄 Fun example

“Working overtime every day feels like prison.”

“He was released from prison after serving five years.”

📚Related Words

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