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

Soon another colonist felt the bilboes for “selling peeces and powder and shott to the Indians,” ever a bitterly-abhorred and fiercely-punished crime.

From Curious Punishments of Bygone Days by Earle, Alice Morse

Then, if we do not obey their foolish rules, they nab us when we come into port again, and fine us—perhaps put us in the bilboes.

From Dulcibel A Tale of Old Salem by Pyle, Howard

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

From The Missing Merchantman by Overend, William Heysham

The Royal James hurried down the Chesapeake for a day and a night before Captain Bonnet gave orders to free the young prisoners below in the bilboes.

From The Black Buccaneer by Meader, Stephen W. (Stephen Warren)

They saw two great strong-boxes filled to the brim with iron chains, broken cutlases, rusty bilboes, and rock; a fool's treasure in truth.

From The Pirate Woman by Dingle, Aylward Edward