Showing results for "bilboes"

• plural of bilbo.

bilboes

British  

/ ˈbɪlbəʊz /

plural noun

1. a long iron bar with two sliding shackles, formerly used to confine the ankles of a prisoner

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Etymology

Origin of bilboes

C16: perhaps changed from _Bilbao

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bilboes

The bilboes is a bar of iron with fetters annexed to it, by which mutinous or disorderly sailors were anciently linked together.

From Folk-lore of Shakespeare by Thiselton-Dyer, Thomas Firminger

Here, Nicholls, this man is your prisoner; get the bilboes and clap them on him.

From The Missing Merchantman by Overend, William Heysham

And another, the same year, for threatening—were he punished—he would carry the case to England, was summarily and fearlessly thrust into the bilboes.

From Curious Punishments of Bygone Days by Earle, Alice Morse

"Good heavens, who wants to lock his ship in these accursed bilboes?" cried the purser.

From Hurricane Island by Watson, H. B. Marriott (Henry Brereton Marriott)

One of the earliest of these degrading engines of confinement for public exposure, to be used in punishment in this country, was the bilboes.

From Curious Punishments of Bygone Days by Earle, Alice Morse