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DictionarybedlamHistorical London hospital
proper noun

bedlam

A historical name for London's Bethlem psychiatric hospital.

The exhibition examines the long history of London's Bedlam.

Etymology
bedlamEnglishBethlehem

Bedlam is a shortened form of Bethlehem, preserved in the hospital’s dedication to Saint Mary of Bethlehem. Here the name identifies that London institution.

More examples

  • The archive holds records associated with Bedlam.
  • The historian explains how Bethlem became known as Bedlam.
  • The novel refers to the hospital by its old name, Bedlam.

Similar words

Bethlem
The hospital's formal surviving name rather than the historical nickname.