pillory

[ pil-uh-ree ]

noun

, plural pil·lo·ries.

1. 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.

1. to set in the pillory.
2. to expose to public derision, ridicule, or abuse:

   The candidate mercilessly pilloried his opponent.

pillory

/ ˈpɪlərɪ /

noun

1. a wooden framework into which offenders were formerly locked by the neck and wrists and exposed to public abuse and ridicule
2. exposure to public scorn or abuse

verb

1. to expose to public scorn or ridicule
2. to punish by putting in a pillory

Other Words From

• un·pillo·ried adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pillory¹

First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English pyllory, from Old French pilori, perhaps from Medieval Latin pīlōrium, equivalent to Latin pīl(a) “pillar” ( pile ¹ ) + -ōrium noun suffix ( -ory ² ), though Romance variants such as Provençal espillori suggest a less transparent source

Word History and Origins

Origin of pillory¹

C13: from Anglo-Latin pillorium, from Old French pilori, of uncertain origin; related to Provençal espillori

Example Sentences

Compare the British pillory of Tebbit with the reaction in India to the Kashmiri students.

From The Daily Beast

“Rails” and “lacerate,” two other words swiftly elected for pillory, were classic Tejpal, overblown, mannered, theatrical.

From The Daily Beast

And because the pillory of a bad book is as culturally stimulating as the lauding of a good book.

From The Daily Beast

It may be gratifying to discover such an example, in favor of the pillory!

From Project Gutenberg

When were the last known instances of bull-baiting and cock-fighting in Worcester, and when was the pillory last used?

From Project Gutenberg

East Looe boasts a further relic of its past in the ancient pillory preserved at the porch of its town hall.

From Project Gutenberg

In place of such we have an interesting memorial of Looe's former use of the "cage," a companion instrument to the pillory.

From Project Gutenberg

He was fined five hundred pounds and placed in the pillory; the Chief Justice wished that he might be also whipped.

From Project Gutenberg