ZebraWords.com - The Definition of 'Bedlam', Synonyms of 'Bedlam' & More on 'Bedlam'

1. WordNet® 3.0 (2006)

bedlam
    n 1: a state of extreme confusion and disorder [syn: chaos,
         pandemonium, bedlam, topsy-turvydom, topsy-
         turvyness]
    2: pejorative terms for an insane asylum [syn: Bedlam, booby
       hatch, crazy house, cuckoo's nest, funny farm, funny
       house, loony bin, madhouse, nut house, nuthouse,
       sanatorium, snake pit]

2. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

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

3. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

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]

4. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

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

Thesaurus Results for bedlam:

1. Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

Babel, Bedlam let loose, asylum, blast, bobbery, brawl, brouhaha, bughouse, cacophony, chaos, charivari, chirm, clamor, clangor, clap, clatter, commotion, confusion, confusion of tongues, din, discord, donnybrook, drunken brawl, dustup, flap, fracas, free-for-all, hell, hell broke loose, howl, hubbub, hue and cry, hullabaloo, insane asylum, jangle, loud noise, lunatic asylum, madhouse, mental home, mental hospital, mental institution, noise, noise and shouting, nuthouse, outcry, padded cell, pandemonium, psychiatric ward, psychopathic hospital, racket, rattle, rhubarb, roar, row, ruckus, ruction, rumble, rumpus, shindy, shivaree, static, thunder, thunderclap, tintamarre, tumult, turmoil, uproar

Common Misspellings >