house+of+correction

  • 1House of correction — Correction Cor*rec tion (k?r r?k sh?n), n. [L. correctio: cf. F. correction.] 1. The act of correcting, or making that right which was wrong; change for the better; amendment; rectification, as of an erroneous statement. [1913 Webster] The due… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 2house of correction — house of correction: an institution where persons who have committed minor offenses and who are considered capable of reformation are confined compare house of detention, jail, lockup, penitentiary …

    Law dictionary

  • 3house of correction — n. a place of short term confinement for persons convicted of minor offenses and regarded as capable of being reformed …

    English World dictionary

  • 4House of Correction — The House of Correction was a type of building built after the passing of the Elizabethan Poor Law (1601). Houses of correction were places where those who were unwilling to work including vagrants and beggars were set to work. The building of… …

    Wikipedia

  • 5house of correction —    a prison    So named in the hope that there will be no recidivism. The American house of detention is specific:     Lyburn... is unlike any other house of correction in the world. (Ustinov, 1971)     Incarceration in the House of Detention… …

    How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms

  • 6house of correction — house′ of correc′tion n. soc a place for the confinement and reform of persons convicted of minor offenses • Etymology: 1625–35 …

    From formal English to slang

  • 7house of correction — (Roget s Thesaurus II) noun A place for the confinement of persons in lawful detention: brig, jail, keep, penitentiary, prison. Informal: lockup, pen3. Slang: big house, can, clink, cooler, coop, hoosegow, joint, jug, pokey1, slammer, stir2.… …

    English dictionary for students

  • 8house of correction — An institution for the reception and care of orphans, indigent, wayward, incorrigible, or vicious youths, children whose parents are incapable or unworthy, and, in some instances, adults, such as unfortunate or abandoned women, first offenders,… …

    Ballentine's law dictionary

  • 9house of correction — Date: circa 1576 a penal institution for persons convicted of a minor offense and considered capable of reformation …

    New Collegiate Dictionary

  • 10house of correction — a place for the confinement and reform of persons convicted of minor offenses and not regarded as confirmed criminals. [1625 35] * * * …

    Universalium