brig
pronunciation
How to pronounce brig in British English:
UK [brɪg]
How to pronounce brig in American English:
US [brɪɡ]
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- Noun:
- two-masted sailing vessel square-rigged on both masts
- a penal institution (especially on board a ship)
Word Origin
- brig (n.)
- "two-masted square-rigged vessel," 1720, colloquial shortening of brigantine (q.v.). Apparently such vessels being used for prison ships upon retirement from active duty led to extended meaning "a jail," first recorded 1852.
Example
- 1. Then why are you in the brig ?
- 2. Why aren 't you in the brig ?
- 3. You 'd put me in the brig ?
- 4. Throw him in the brig !
- 5. Get them in the brig !