Pronunciation: [ˈɪnme͡ɪt] (IPA) 
The word "inmate" is spelled as /ˈɪn.meɪt/ in phonetic transcription. The first syllable is pronounced as "in" with the short "i" sound, followed by the "m" sound in the second syllable. The third syllable has the long "a" sound, represented as "ay" in IPA. The final syllable is pronounced as "t" with a silent "e". This word is used to refer to a person who is living in an institution such as a prison or mental hospital.
An inmate is an individual who is confined or incarcerated within a specific institution, typically a prison, jail, or correctional facility. This term refers to a person who is involuntarily living within the boundaries and rules set forth by the institution due to their unlawful activities or conviction of a crime.
The term "inmate" specifically denotes someone who is serving a sentence or awaiting trial or sentencing. They are confined to a designated facility and are subject to various regulations, restrictions, and disciplinary measures imposed by the institution to ensure safety, order, and control within the premises.
Inmates are generally deprived of their freedom and rights that are enjoyed by individuals in the general population. They are separated from the wider society and are expected to abide by the rules and regulations set by the institution, as well as cooperate in programs aimed at rehabilitation, behavioral modification, or punishment as determined by the judicial system.
The term "inmate" encompasses both male and female individuals who have been convicted or accused of committing criminal offenses. It is used to categorize those individuals who are serving their time within a correctional facility as part of their court-imposed sentences, including those sentenced to short or long terms, life imprisonment, or even death row. Inmates may include those awaiting trial, detainees, or individuals under deportation or immigration detention in specific contexts.
A member of the same family or household; a lodger.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "inmate" has an interesting etymology. It traces back to the Latin word "inmatriculatus", which is the past participle of "inmatriculare". "Inmatriculare" is derived from "matricula", meaning "register" or "list". In Latin, "inmatriculatus" referred to someone who had been listed or enrolled in an official register, particularly in relation to a school or university.
Over time, this Latin term evolved into "enmate" in Old French, which meant "one who is lodged or boarded". Eventually, it transformed into "inmate" in Middle English with a similar meaning, referring to someone who is lodged or confined in an institution, particularly a prison. The term has since come to be commonly used to describe individuals who are confined in any institution such as jails, prisons, or mental health facilities.
