house of correction

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Word: House of Correction

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: A "house of correction" is a type of jail or detention facility that was traditionally used to keep people who committed minor crimes. The purpose of these places was not only to punish but also to correct behavior, meaning to help people learn from their mistakes so they wouldn’t repeat them.

Usage Instructions:

• The term "house of correction" is somewhat old-fashioned and is not commonly used today. Instead, people might simply say "jail" or "prison," but it's still important to understand this historical term.

Example Sentence:

• "After being caught stealing a bicycle, the young man was sent to a house of correction for a short time to learn a lesson."

Advanced Usage:

• In historical contexts or literature, you might encounter the term "house of correction" when discussing the justice system of the past.

Word Variants:

• There aren’t direct variants of "house of correction," but related terms include:
  • Correctional Facility: A modern term for a place where people are held for their crimes.
  • Reformatory: A type of institution aimed at reforming young offenders.

Different Meanings:

• While "house of correction" specifically refers to a place for minor offenders, it can also imply a broader concept of correcting behavior in various contexts, such as educational programs aimed at helping individuals improve their actions.

Synonyms:

• Jail
• Detention center
• Correctional institution
• Reformatory (specifically for youth)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There aren’t specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "house of correction," but here are some related phrases:
  • "Pay your debt to society": This means to serve a punishment for a crime.
  • "Get off lightly": This means to receive a less severe punishment than expected.

Summary:

The term "house of correction" refers to a historical type of jail for people who committed minor offenses, aimed at correcting their behavior.

Academic

Noun

1. (formerly) a jail or other place of detention for persons convicted of minor offences