Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Oubliette: meaning, definitions and examples

🏰
Add to dictionary

oubliette

 

[ ˌuːbliˈɛt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

castle dungeons

An oubliette is a secret dungeon with access only through a trapdoor in its ceiling. The name comes from the French word 'oublier', which means 'to forget'. Oubliettes were commonly used in medieval castles to imprison and sometimes forget about prisoners.

Synonyms

cell, dungeon, prison.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
oubliette

Oubliette specifically refers to a secret dungeon with an opening only at the top, used historically to imprison someone in complete isolation and often with an intention to forget them. It has a historical and rather eerie connotation.

  • The prisoner was thrown into the oubliette, left to contemplate his fate in total darkness
dungeon

Dungeon refers to a dark, underground prison or vault, often found in castles or used in fantasy settings. It can evoke ideas of medieval times and torture.

  • The captured knight was thrown into the castle’s dungeon to await his fate
cell

Cell is a small room in which a prisoner is locked. It is a common term used in modern prisons, monasteries, and sometimes even for small private rooms.

  • The guard led the criminal to his cell, slamming the door shut behind him
prison

Prison is a general term for a facility where people are confined as a punishment for committing crimes. It’s a modern, broad term covering various types of penal institutions.

  • The man was sentenced to ten years in prison for robbery

Examples of usage

  • The prisoner was thrown into the oubliette and left to rot.
  • The only light in the oubliette came from a small hole in the ceiling.

Translations

Translations of the word "oubliette" in other languages:

🇵🇹 calabouço

🇮🇳 तहखाना

🇩🇪 Verlies

🇮🇩 penjara bawah tanah

🇺🇦 підземелля

🇵🇱 loch

🇯🇵 地下牢

🇫🇷 oubliette

🇪🇸 mazmorra

🇹🇷 zindan

🇰🇷 지하 감옥

🇸🇦 زنزانة تحت الأرض

🇨🇿 důl

🇸🇰 diera

🇨🇳 地牢

🇸🇮 ječa

🇮🇸 neðanjarðarfangelsi

🇰🇿 жерасты абақтысы

🇬🇪 მიწისქვეშა ციხე

🇦🇿 yeraltı həbsxanası

🇲🇽 mazmorra

Etymology

The word 'oubliette' originates from the French word 'oublier', which means 'to forget'. The concept of oubliettes dates back to medieval times when they were commonly used as dark and isolated dungeons to hold prisoners, often forgotten by the outside world. Oubliettes were designed to be difficult to escape from, with access only through a trapdoor in the ceiling, making them a fearsome and effective form of imprisonment.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,823, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.