/bed"leuhm/ , n.
1. a scene or state of wild uproar and confusion.
2. Archaic. an insane asylum or madhouse.
[ a popular name for the Hospital of St. Mary of Bethlehem in London, which served as a lunatic asylum from ca. 1400; cf. ME Bedleem, Bethleem, OE Betleem BETHLEHEM ]
Syn. 1. disorder, tumult, chaos, clamor, turmoil, commotion, pandemonium.