pinfold

American  

[pin-fohld] / ˈpɪnˌfoʊld /

noun

1. a pound for stray animals.

2. a fold, as for sheep or cattle.

3. a place of confinement or restraint.

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verb (used with object)

1. to confine in or as in a pinfold.

pinfold British  

/ ˈpɪnˌfəʊld /

noun

1. 1. a pound for stray cattle

   2. a fold or pen for sheep or cattle

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verb

1. (tr) to gather or confine in or as if in a pinfold

Etymology

Origin of pinfold

1150–1200; late Middle English pynfold for *pindfold, equivalent to Old English pynd ( an ) to impound (derivative of pund pound ³ ) + fold ²; replacing Middle English po ( u ) n ( d ) fold ( e ), late Old English pundfald

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pinfold

Another official surname especially connected with country life is Pinder, also found as Pinner, Pender, Penner, Ponder and Poynder, the man in charge of the pound or pinfold; cf.

From The Romance of Names by Weekley, Ernest

Its earlier meaning is to hamper or entangle— "Confined and pestered in this pinfold here."

From The Romance of Words (4th ed.) by Weekley, Ernest

Hatted Herault leads his distressed flock, through their pinfold of a Tuileries again; across the Garden, to the Gate on the opposite side.

From The French Revolution by Carlyle, Thomas

If I had thee in Lipsbury pinfold, I would make thee care for me.

From King Lear by Shakespeare, William

This line is attributive to ‘men.’ pestered ... pinfold, crowded together in this cramped space, the Earth.

From Milton's Comus by Bell, William

Related Words

• crate
• enclosure
• jail
• pen