a town in the hundred of Rudland, in the county of Dorset, 101 miles from London. It stands on a hill, is not well supplied with water, and the houses are generally of an humble character. It contains three parishes, with their respective churches. It is an ancient town, supposed to have been founded by Alfred. It is a borough, with a mayor, recorder, and twelve burgesses, and returned two members to parliament till 1832, but now elects only one. The chief trade is making shirt-buttons. The population in 1821 amounted to 2903, and in 1831 to 3061.