noun

gaolbird

jailbird, habitual criminal, convict

He was a known gaolbird in the town.

He was a known jailbird in the town.

a jailbird a habitual criminal He was a known jailbird in the town.

Synonyms: jailbird, convict, inmate

A compound of 'gaol' (the British spelling of jail) and 'bird'. The American equivalent is 'jailbird'.

Think of a person who is caged like a 'bird' in a 'gaol' (jail). It's an old-fashioned term for a career criminal.

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