booby hatch


noun

Nautical.
  1. a small hatch giving access to a ladder from the weather deck of a vessel to the interior of the hull.
  2. a small companion secured over a deck opening.
  3. a hoodlike hatch cover having a sliding top.
Slang.
  1. an insane asylum.
  2. jail.

Origin of booby hatch

First recorded in 1830–40

Words nearby booby hatch

British Dictionary definitions for booby hatch

booby hatch

noun

a hoodlike covering for a hatchway on a ship
US offensive, slang a mental hospital