PILLORY


Meaning of PILLORY in English

n. & v.

--n. (pl. -ies) hist. a wooden framework with holes for the head and hands, enabling the public to assault or ridicule a person so imprisoned.

--v.tr. (-ies, -ied)

1. expose (a person) to ridicule or public contempt.

2 hist. put in the pillory.

Etymology: ME f. AL pillorium f. OF pilori etc.: prob. f. Prov. espilori of uncert. orig.

Oxford English vocab.      Оксфордский английский словарь.