black hole
/blæk ˈhoʊl/
black hole
English
Noun
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Definition
A place of punitive confinement; a lockup or cell; a military guardroom.
Etymology
In reference to the physical concept (region of spacetime with extreme gravitational pull), physicist Hong-Yee Chiu attributed the term to his colleague Robert H. Dicke, who stated around 1960–1961 that the objects were like the Black Hole of Calcutta. The first known usage in print was by journalist Ann Ewing in 1964. Widespread popularization of the term is generally credited to a lecture in 1967 by the physicist John Wheeler.
Example Sentences
- "‘I will convince you that I do know [my duty] by clapping you for the remainder of the night into the black hole, young gentleman, do you see, and have no doubt but the air of that agreeable apartment will restore your senses.’"
- "A discipline of unlimited autocracy, upheld by rods, and ferules, and the black hole."
- "The 3rd degree of punishment or confinement to the black-hole, is, according to the Articles of War, not to be for more than eight days, without the sentence of a court-martial. No Soldier, except the Commanding Officer of the regiment permits or orders it, can be confined in the black-hole. Serjeants are never to be so, but in lieu to their rooms; Corporals are never to be confined in the same prison with Privates and Buglers, and they will retain their dresses unturned; they will also receive their allowance of provisions there. When a Private or Bugler is ordered to the black-hole, the Serjeant of his squad is to take him, with his undress jacket turned, to the Master Taylor, who is to sew the letter C, in black cloth on the back of his jacket, for which the offender will be charged the sum of 3d. by the Master Taylor and Quarter Master against his company. If any overplus ensue from the confined man's charge in the expence of this cloth letter, it will be lodged in the regimental charity fund. All Privates and Buglers confined in the black hole are to be fed on bread and water, to be taken out occasionally for drill, and re-lodged immediately after. The Officer or Non-commissioned Officer who commands the guard is responsible."
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