bedlam

Noun
Synonyms: chaospandemoniumtopsy-turvydomtopsy-turvynessBedlambooby hatchcrazy housecuckoo's nestfunny farmfunny houseloony binmadhouse

WordNet 3.0

Noun (2)

  1. a state of extreme confusion and disorderSynonyms: chaospandemoniumtopsy-turvydomtopsy-turvyness
  2. pejorative terms for an insane asylumSynonyms: Bedlambooby hatchcrazy housecuckoo's nestfunny farmfunny houseloony binmadhousenut housenuthousesanatoriumsnake pit
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Bethlehem \Beth"le*hem\, n. [Heb. b[=e]th-lekhem house of food; b[=e]th house + lekhem food, l[=a]kham to eat. Formerly the name of a hospital for the insane, in London, which had been the priory of St. Mary of Bethlehem. Cf. Bedlam.]

1.A hospital for lunatics; -- corrupted into bedlam. [1913 Webster]

2.(Arch.) In the Ethiopic church, a small building attached to a church edifice, in which the bread for the eucharist is made. --Audsley. [1913 Webster] Bethlehemite

Bedlam \Bed"lam\, n. [See Bethlehem.]

1.A place appropriated to the confinement and care of the insane; a madhouse. --Abp. Tillotson. [1913 Webster]

2.An insane person; a lunatic; a madman. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Let's get the bedlam to lead him.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

3.Any place where uproar and confusion prevail. [1913 Webster]

Bedlam \Bed"lam\, a. Belonging to, or fit for, a madhouse. "The bedlam, brainsick duchess." --Shak. [1913 Webster]
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