pillory
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pil·lo·ry
(pĭl′ə-rē)n. pl. pil·lo·ries
A wooden framework on a post, with holes for the head and hands, in which offenders were formerly locked to be exposed to public scorn as punishment.
tr.v. pil·lo·ried, pil·lo·ry·ing, pil·lo·ries
1. To expose to ridicule and abuse.
2. To put in a pillory as punishment.
[Middle English, from Old French pilori, probably from Latin pīla, pillar.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
pillory
(ˈpɪlərɪ)n, pl -ries
1. (Historical Terms) a wooden framework into which offenders were formerly locked by the neck and wrists and exposed to public abuse and ridicule
2. exposure to public scorn or abuse
vb (tr) , -ries, -rying or -ried
3. to expose to public scorn or ridicule
4. (Historical Terms) to punish by putting in a pillory
[C13: from Anglo-Latin pillorium, from Old French pilori, of uncertain origin; related to Provençal espillori]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
pil•lo•ry
(ˈpɪl ə ri)n., pl. -ries, n.
1. a wooden framework erected on a post, with holes for securing the head and hands, formerly used to expose an offender to public derision.
v.t. 2. to set in the pillory.
3. to expose to public derision or abuse.
[1225–75; Middle English pyllory < Old French pilori, perhaps < Medieval Latin pīlōrium= Latin pīl(a) pillar (see pile1) + -ōrium -ory2]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
pillory
Past participle: pilloried
Gerund: pillorying
Imperative |
---|
pillory |
pillory |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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Noun | 1. | ![]() instrument of punishment - an instrument designed and used to punish a condemned person |
Verb | 1. | pillory - expose to ridicule or public scorn |
2. | pillory - punish by putting in a pillory | |
3. | pillory - criticize harshly or violently; "The press savaged the new President"; "The critics crucified the author for plagiarizing a famous passage" criticise, criticize, pick apart, knock - find fault with; express criticism of; point out real or perceived flaws; "The paper criticized the new movie"; "Don't knock the food--it's free" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
pillory
verb ridicule, denounce, stigmatize, brand, lash, show someone up, expose someone to ridicule, cast a slur on, heap or pour scorn on, hold someone up to shame He resigned after being pilloried by the press.
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PrangerSchandpfahl
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