oubliette

noun

ou·bli·ette ˌü-blē-ˈet

: a dungeon with an opening only at the top

Examples of oubliette in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

This godown was an oubliette. —

Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper’s Magazine , 7 Dec. 2021 Let the novel open like an oubliette under your feet. —

Parul Sehgal, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2019

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French, from oublier to forget, from Old French oblier, from Vulgar Latin *oblitare, frequentative of Latin oblivisci to forget — more at oblivion

First Known Use

1777, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of oubliette was in 1777

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