pillory

• POS: Noun, Verb (usu participle), Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: pil=lo=ry

CIDE DICTIONARY

pillory, n. [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.  [1913 Webster]

pillory, v. t. [Cf. F. pilorier.].

•  To set in, or punish with, the pillory.  Macaulay.  [1913 Webster]
•  Figuratively, to expose to public scorn.  Gladstone.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

pillory, 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.

DEVIL DICTIONARY

pillory

n. A mechanical device for inflicting personal distinction -- prototype of the modern newspaper conducted by persons of austere virtues and blameless lives.

THESAURUS

pillory

Oregon boat, attaint, bespatter, bilbo, blacken, blot, blow upon, bond, bonds, brand, branks, bridle, bring into discredit, bring low, bring shame upon, bring to account, bring to book, call to account, camisole, cast reproach upon, castigate, censure, chains, chasten, chastise, collar, correct, crank, cucking stool, cuffs, deal with, debase, defame, defile, defrock, degrade, deplume, deride, disapprove, discipline, discredit, disgrace, dishonor, disparage, displume, ducking stool, expose, expose to infamy, fetter, finger pillory, gag, gibbet, grin at, gyves, halter, hamper, handcuffs, hang in effigy, hobbles, hold in derision, hopples, humiliate, impute shame to, inflict upon, irons, laugh at, laugh to scorn, leading strings, leash, make fun of, make game of, make merry with, manacle, masthead, muzzle, pan, penalize, point at, poke fun at, punish, put one on, put to shame, rag, razz, reflect discredit upon, reins, reprimand, reproach, restraint, restraints, ride, ridicule, roast, settle with, shackle, shame, slur, smear, smile at, snicker at, snigger at, soil, square accounts, stain, stigmatize, stocks, straightjacket, strait-waistcoat, straitjacket, stranglehold, sully, taint, take to task, tarnish, tether, trammel, trammels, treadmill, trebuchet, triangle, triangles, unfrock, vilify, visit upon, whipping post, wooden horse, yoke

ROGET THESAURUS

pillory

Scourge

N scourge, rod, cane, stick, ratan, rattan, birch, birch rod, azote, blacksnake, bullwhack, chicote, kurbash, quirt, rawhide, sjambok, rod in pickle, switch, ferule, cudgel, truncheon, whip, bullwhip, lash, strap, thong, cowhide, knout, cat, cat o'nine tails, rope's end, pillory, stocks, whipping post, cucking stool, ducking stool, brank, trebuchet, trebuket, triangle, wooden horse, iron maiden, thumbscrew, boot, rack, wheel, iron heel, chinese water torture, treadmill, crank, galleys, scaffold, block, ax, guillotine, stake, cross, gallows, gibbet, tree, drop, noose, rope, halter, bowstring, death chair, electric chair, gas chamber, lethal injection, firing squad, mecate, house of correction, goaler, jailer, executioner, electrocutioner, lyncher, hangman, headsman, Jack Ketch.