borstal
borstal · borstals
A way up a hill in the South DownsA way up a hill in the South Downs.
» These boys should be sent to a borstal.
Meaning
3 senses(UK)A way up a hill in the South Downs.
(historical)Any of the prisons set up in Britain for delinquent boys from 1895 to 1983.
(Ireland, UK)Any institution which provides education to young offenders.
More definitions
- formerly a British reform school for youths considered too young to send to prison
Examples
1 sentencesThese boys should be sent to a borstal.
Origin
Inherited from Middle English *borstile, *borghstile, from Old English beorh (“a hill”) +Inherited from Middle English *borstile, *borghstile, from Old English beorh (“a hill”) + stigel (“a stile”).
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Forms
plural: borstalsSynonyms
1 synonymsWord family
1 related wordsDerivedborstal training