madhouse

mad-house · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    (Informal) A scene of extreme confusion or uproar; a chaotic place.

  2. 2.

    (Dated, offensive) A psychiatric hospital or asylum.

Forms

plural: madhouses

Related words

Antonyms: haven, sanctuary
See also: asylum, bedlam, chaos
Synonyms: asylum, bedlam, chaos, pandemonium

Etymology

From English mad + house, originally referring to an institution for mentally ill people, now primarily used figuratively.