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pillory
[ pil-uh-ree ]
/ ˈpɪl ə ri /
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noun, plural pil·lo·ries.
a wooden framework erected on a post, with holes for securing the head and hands, formerly used to expose an offender to public derision.
verb (used with object), pil·lo·ried, pil·lo·ry·ing.
to set in the pillory.
to expose to public derision, ridicule, or abuse: The candidate mercilessly pilloried his opponent.
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Origin of pillory
OTHER WORDS FROM pillory
un·pil·lo·ried, adjectiveWords nearby pillory
pillhead, pillie, pillion, pilliwinks, pillock, pillory, pillow, pillow block, pillowcase, pillow fight, pillow lace
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How to use pillory in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for pillory
pillory
/ (ˈpɪlərɪ) /
noun plural -ries
a wooden framework into which offenders were formerly locked by the neck and wrists and exposed to public abuse and ridicule
exposure to public scorn or abuse
verb -ries, -rying or -ried (tr)
to expose to public scorn or ridicule
to punish by putting in a pillory
Word Origin for pillory
C13: from Anglo-Latin pillorium, from Old French pilori, of uncertain origin; related to Provençal espillori
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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