Gaols

/dʒeɪlz/ noun

Definition

Plural of 'gaol': multiple prisons or jails, especially as used in British English.

Etymology

Simple regular plural of 'gaol,' adding the '-s' suffix. The pronunciation shifted to rhyme with 'jails' long ago even though the spelling retained the Norman French 'g.'

Kelly Says

Britain's historical gaols were famously terrible—so many famous literary works describe them that Victorian readers had detailed knowledge of prison architecture and conditions before ever seeing one.

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