Oubliette

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Oubliette \Ou`bli`ette"\, n. [F., fr. oublier to forget, fr.
     (assumed) LL. oblitare, L. oblivisci, p. p. oblitus.]
     A dungeon with an opening only at the top, found in some old
     castles and other strongholds, into which persons condemned
     to perpetual imprisonment, or to perish secretly, were
     thrust, or lured to fall.


     [1913 Webster]
  
           Sudden in the sun
           An oubliette winks. Where is he? Gone.   --Mrs.
                                                    Browning.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  oubliette
       n : a dungeon with the only entrance or exit being a trap door
           in the ceiling