Dungeon
/ˈdʌn.dʒən/noun
A dark, often underground prison cell or chamber.
Did you know?The word 'dungeon' originates from the Latin 'dominicum', meaning 'lord's keep', hinting at its use as a place of confinement for the powerful and the weak alike.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
dominicum
“A lord's keep or stronghold, often used for imprisonment.”
Old French
Old French
donjon
“A fortified tower or keep within a castle.”
Middle English
Middle English
dungeon
“A place of confinement in a castle, typically dark and oppressive.”
Modern English
Modern English
dungeon
“A dark and foreboding prison cell, often underground.”