Pillory

//ˈpɪləɹi// noun, verb

Definitions

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

    "Maires and Maceris that meanes be betwene / The Kynge and the comon to kepe the lawes / To pũnyſhen on pyleries and pynning ſtoles / Bruſterrs and bakeſters, bochers and cokes / For theſe ar mẽ on this mold þᵉ moſt harme worketh / To the pore people that percel mele byghe[...]"

  2. 2
    a wooden instrument of punishment on a post with holes for the wrists and neck; offenders were locked in and so exposed to public scorn wordnet
Verb
  1. 1
    To put in a pillory. transitive
  2. 2
    criticize harshly or violently wordnet
  3. 3
    To subject to humiliation, scorn, ridicule or abuse. transitive

    "Mike Sarne would end up making a celluloid disasterpiece that is to this day pilloried as one of the worst films ever made."

  4. 4
    punish by putting in a pillory wordnet
  5. 5
    To criticize harshly. transitive

    "The breakthrough came through Torres who, pilloried for his miss against Manchester United a week earlier, scored his second goal of the season."

Show 1 more definition
  1. 6
    expose to ridicule or public scorn wordnet

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English pilory, pillorie, from Old French pilori, pellori, which is either from Old Occitan espilori or Latin pīla (“pillar”).

Etymology 2

From Middle English pilory, pillorie, from Old French pilori, pellori, which is either from Old Occitan espilori or Latin pīla (“pillar”).

Next best steps

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: pillory