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

His close-shaven crown, surrounded by a circle of stiff curled black hair, had something the appearance of a parish pinfold begirt by its high hedge.

From Ivanhoe by Scott, Walter, Sir

The chapel has been long considered as common ground, my dear, and used for a pinfold, and what objection can we have to the man for employing what is his own to his own profit?

From My Aunt Margaret's Mirror by Scott, Walter, Sir

Pinfold Street takes its name from the "pound" or "pinfold" that existed there prior to 1752.

From Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham A History and Guide Arranged Alphabetically by Harman, Thomas T.

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

With shrilling bleat for comfort hie To every pinfold, humankind; Ah, there the fostering teat is dry, The stranger mother proves unkind.

From The Modern Scottish Minstrel, Volume I. The Songs of Scotland of the past half century by Rogers, Charles

Related Words

• crate
• enclosure
• jail
• pen