Noun

(en noun)

A place or situation of chaotic uproar, and where confusion prevails.

* 1872 : , The Complete Works of John Bunyan , p 133

Some of the wards were veritable "bedlams ," and dis-charged patients have told of abuses practiced in them of which the mere recital causes a shudder.

* 2002 : Mark L. Friedman, ''Everyday Crisis Management, p 134

The outside of the Hyatt was bedlam . There was a group of more than a hundred injured people on the circular drive in front of the hotel.

(obsolete) An insane person; a lunatic; a madman.

* Shakespeare

Let's get the bedlam to lead him.

(obsolete) A lunatic asylum; a madhouse.

* 1720 : , The works of the Most Reverend Dr. John Tillotson , p 43

But if any man should profess to believe these things, and yet allow himself in any known wickedness, such a one should be put into bedlam.

Noun

(en noun)

A state of turbulent motion.

An agitated disturbance or a hubbub.

* {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)

, chapter=19 citation , passage=When Timothy and Julia hurried up the staircase to the bedroom floor, where a considerable commotion was taking place, Tim took Barry Leach with him. He had him gripped firmly by the arm, since he felt it was not safe to let him loose, and he had no immediate idea what to do with him.}}

(euphemistic) Sexual excitement.

{{quote-Fanny Hill, part=3 , and now, glancing my eyes towards that part of his dress which cover'd the essential object of enjoyment, I plainly discover'd the swell and commotion there}}