Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
bridge-of-sighs
noun
/ˈbrɪdʒ əv saɪz/
Definition
A bridge built to allow prisoners to cross from the court to their cells, often associated with sadness or despair.
Examples
- The Bridge of Sighs is a popular tourist attraction in Venice.
- Many poems and stories reference the bridge as a symbol of lost hope.
- Walking across the Bridge of Sighs can evoke feelings of melancholy.
Meaning
The term ‘bridge of sighs’ refers to a specific bridge in Venice, Italy, which connects the Doge’s Palace to the prison. It is famously linked to the sighs of prisoners who would take a last look at the beautiful city before being imprisoned.
Synonyms
- Bridge of Sighs (specific reference)
- Bridge of Despair
- Prisoner’s passage
