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

One was a man who obstinately refused to go to meeting, and after being warned several times was clapped into the bilboes by the tythingman.

From Ben Comee A Tale of Rogers's Rangers, 1758-59 by Canavan, M. J. (Michael Joseph)

My ankles had been freed from the bilboes before I was brought up, but when I was ordered to stand, I could not readily obey because of the continued numbness of my limbs.

From A Volunteer with Pike The True Narrative of One Dr. John Robinson and of His Love for the Fair Señorita Vallois by Bennet, Robert Ames

It was a rule that none should speak to a man in the bilboes.

From On the Spanish Main Or, Some English forays on the Isthmus of Darien. by Masefield, John

"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)

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

From The Missing Merchantman by Overend, William Heysham