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Webster 1913 Edition


Pillory

Pil′lo-ry

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Pillories
(#)
.
[F.
pilori
; cf. Pr.
espitlori
, LL.
piloricum
,
pilloricum
,
pellericum
,
pellorium
,
pilorium
,
spilorium
; perhaps from a derivative of L.
speculari
to look around, observe. Cf.
Speculate
.]
A frame of adjustable boards erected on a post, and having holes through which the head and hands of an offender were thrust so as to be exposed in front of it.
Shak.

Pil′lo-ry

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Pilloried
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Pillorying
.]
[Cf. F.
pilorier
.]
1.
To set in, or punish with, the pillory.
“Hungering for Puritans to pillory.”
Macaulay.
2.
Figuratively, to expose to public scorn.
Gladstone.

Webster 1828 Edition


Pillory

PIL'LORY

,
Noun.
[L. palus, a stake, a pile.] A frame of wood erected on posts, with movable boards and holes, through which are put the head and hands of a criminal for punishment.

PIL'LORY

,
Verb.
T.
To punish with the pillory.

Definition 2024


pillory

pillory

English

A pillory.

Noun

pillory (plural pillories)

  1. A framework on a post, with holes for the hands and head, used as a means of punishment and humiliation.

Translations

Verb

pillory (third-person singular simple present pillories, present participle pillorying, simple past and past participle pilloried)

  1. (transitive) To put in a pillory.
  2. (transitive) To subject to humiliation, scorn, ridicule or abuse.
  3. (transitive) To criticize harshly.
    • 2011 September 24, Aled Williams, “Chelsea 4 - 1 Swansea”, in BBC Sport:
      The breakthrough came through Torres who, pilloried for his miss against Manchester United a week earlier, scored his second goal of the season.

Translations