Definition of bedlam
1 : a place, scene, or state of uproar and confusion There was bedlam in the streets after the verdict was announced. 2 or Bedlam : an asylum for the mentally ill. 3 obsolete : madman, lunatic. Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About bedlam.
Where does the saying bedlam come from?
The term bedlam comes from the name of a hospital in London, “Saint Mary of Bethlehem,” which was devoted to treating the mentally ill in the 1400s. Over time, the pronunciation of “Bethlehem” morphed into bedlam and the term came to be applied to any situation where pandemonium prevails.
Is bedlam a biblical term?
Bedlam as name of hospital attested 1450. Phonologically, corruption of Bethlem, itself a corruption of Bethlehem (the Biblical town), from Ancient Greek Βηθλεέμ (Bēthleém) from Biblical Hebrew בֵּית לֶחֶם (bêṯ leḥem, literally “house of bread”).
What is the synonym of bedlam?
noun. 1’there was bedlam in the stadium after he won’ uproar, pandemonium, commotion, mayhem, confusion, unrest, furore, upheaval, hubbub, hurly-burly, turmoil, riot, ruckus, tumult, disarray, turbulence. disorder, chaos, anarchy, lawlessness.
What is an example of bedlam?
The definition of a bedlam is a scene of noise and confusion. A flood displacing hundreds of residents is an example of a bedlam. A place or situation of noisy uproar and confusion.
How do you use bedlam in a sentence?
Bedlam sentence example
I can’t even picture the bedlam making this public would cause. They’d haul you away from me, put you up in some sort of Bedlam , he snapped. Within a few minutes, it was sheer bedlam . A duet of serial killers create bedlam in movie town.
How is the word Bedlam used today?
Bedlam, byname of Bethlem Royal Hospital, the first asylum for the mentally ill in England. It is currently located in Beckenham, Kent. The word bedlam came to be used generically for all psychiatric hospitals and sometimes is used colloquially for an uproar.
What does I’ll retire to Bedlam mean?
I’ll retire to Bedlam.” So now that you know more about the word ‘retire,’ you can understand that Scrooge means to withdraw from this conversation and head straight for the insane asylum in London, (St. Mary of Bethlehem Hospital, which was commonly referred to as Bedlam at the time).
What was life like in Bedlam?
As the 19th century dawned Bethlem remained outwardly visually magnificent while inside it had become a dilapidated, cash-starved institution operating without any accountability or scrutiny. With no inspectors or even outside visitors to check on the patients, conditions were squalid and abusive.
Was bedlam a real place?
In 1247 the Priory of St Mary of Bethlehem was founded, devoted to healing sick paupers. The small establishment became known as Bethlehem Hospital. Londoners later abbreviated this to ‘Bethlem’ and often pronounced it ‘Bedlam’.
Is Bethlehem part of Israel?
After the Six-Day War of 1967, it was part of the Israeli-occupied territory of the West Bank. In 1995 Israel ceded control of Bethlehem to the newly established Palestinian Authority in preparation for a two-state solution. Bethlehem is an agricultural market and trade town that is closely linked to nearby Jerusalem.
What part of speech is bedlam?
A place or situation of chaotic uproar, and where confusion prevails.
What does it mean to be calm?
calm, peaceful, and tranquil mean quiet and free from disturbance. calm is used when someone is not excited or upset even when there is cause for it.
What do you mean chaos?
a state of utter confusion or disorder; a total lack of organization or order. any confused, disorderly mass: a chaos of meaningless phrases.
Is Bedlam capitalized?
noun [capitalized] The hospital of St. Mary of Bethlehem in London, originally a priory, founded about 1247, but afterward used as an asylum for lunatics. noun Hence A madhouse; a lunatic asylum. noun A scene of wild uproar and confusion.
What does open defiance mean?
noun. open or bold resistance to or disregard for authority, opposition, or power. a challenging attitude or behaviour; challenge.
