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asylum

nounmasculineformal/mɐniˈkɔmju/low

ma·ni·có·mi·o

Definition

A historical institution for the care and confinement of people with mental illnesses.

Term is now considered outdated and often pejorative.

The old asylum was demolished last year.
He was committed to an asylum in the 1950s.
Common collocations
lunatic asyluminsane asylumclose the asylum

Etymology

Do grego 'manía' (loucura) + 'komé' (cuidado), através do latim 'manicomium'.

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