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Glite Dictionary
gaolbreak

gaolbreak

9.4
A planned escape from prison
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒeɪlˌbreɪk/
  • Archaic
: fuga de la cárcel
  • The police launched a manhunt after the daring gaolbreak from the maximum-security prison.

Examples

  • The documentary revealed the intricate details of the infamous gaolbreak that shocked the nation.

  • Authorities are investigating how the gaolbreak was planned so meticulously.

  • And that's what Ken Thompson did, of course, in the Great Gaolbreak, got himself on there.

Synonyms

break
vsgaolbreak
78 4.4

A sudden escape from a place or control

is about escapes planned carefully rather than abrupt movement or flight
breakout
vsgaolbreak
16 7.1

An escape from prison or jail that happens suddenly and often uses force

describes escapes planned carefully rather than sudden forceful incidents
prison-breaking
vsgaolbreak
13 9.1

An escape from prison done by force or secret planning

highlights planned escapes rather than mainly force or stealth
jailbreak
vsgaolbreak
9 7.3

A planned or forced escape from prison

focuses on escapes planned carefully rather than sudden force
prisonbreak
vsgaolbreak
1 4.8

An escape from prison by one or more people

specifies escapes that are carefully planned rather than unspecified acts
jailbreaking
vsgaolbreak
1 8.0

An act of leaving prison illegally or helping others leave prison

focuses on escapes planned carefully rather than any helping act

How Planned

gaolbreak
  • Archaic
9.4
breakout
16 7.1
escape
376 1.1

Surface Forms

gaolbreak singular
gaolbreaks plural

Morphology

gaolbreak = gaol + break (transparent) = gaol + break

A straightforward compound of 'gaol' (British 'jail') + 'break' meaning an escape; the meaning is directly derivable from the parts, though the spelling 'gaol' may be less familiar to some learners.

Etymology

Gaolbreak comes from gaol, an old spelling of jail that means 'prison', and break, which means 'break out' or 'escape'. Imagine prisoners breaking the bars to get free, which helps you remember that a gaolbreak is an escape from jail, often planned carefully.