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Webster 1913 Edition
Bethlehem
Beth′le-hem
,Noun.
[Heb.
bēth-lekhem
house of food; bēth
house + lekhem
food, lākham
to eat. Formerly the name of a hospital for the insane, in London, which had been the priory of St. Mary of Bethlehem. Cf. Bedlam
.] 1.
A hospital for lunatics; – corrupted into
bedlam
. 2.
(Arch.)
In the Ethiopic church, a small building attached to a church edifice, in which the bread for the eucharist is made.
Audsley.
Webster 1828 Edition
Bethlehem
BETH'LEHEM
,Noun.
1.
A town or village in Judea, about six miles south-east of Jerusalem; famous for its being the place of Christ's nativity.2.
A hospital for lunatics; corrupted into bedlam.