jail cell
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A small, secure room within a jail or prison where a person is confined as a punishment or while awaiting trial.
Usage
The term "jail cell" specifically refers to the individual, locked room for a prisoner. It is a compound noun where "jail" specifies the type of institution and "cell" specifies the type of room. It is used in both formal (legal, administrative) and informal contexts.
Examples
- The suspect was placed in a jail cell overnight.
- Each jail cell typically contains a bed, a toilet, and a sink.
- The conditions in the overcrowded jail cell were criticized by human rights groups.
Advanced Usage
- "to be thrown in a jail cell": to be put in prison, often implying a quick or forceful action.
- After the fight, he was thrown in a jail cell for disturbing the peace.
- "the confines of a jail cell": used to emphasize the restrictive and limiting nature of imprisonment.
- He spent years within the confines of a jail cell.
Variants and Related Words
- Cell (n): The core component; can be used alone when the context (a prison) is clear. ()
- Prison cell (n): A near-synonym, often used interchangeably with "jail cell," though "jail" typically implies shorter-term or local detention.
- Detention cell (n): A cell used for temporary holding.
- Holding cell (n): A cell where accused persons are held temporarily, often in a courthouse or police station.
- Solitary confinement cell (n): A specific type of jail cell used for isolating a prisoner.
Synonyms
- Prison cell
- Cell
- Lockup (informal)
Related Phrases
- Behind bars: An idiom meaning in jail or prison.
- The criminal is finally behind bars.
- Cell block: A group of jail cells within a prison.
- The riot started in Cell Block D.