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

I have seen, on a mountain near Callendar, a sort of pinfold, composed of immense rocks, piled upon each other, which, I was told, was anciently constructed for the above-mentioned purpose.

From Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, Volume 2 Consisting of Historical and Romantic Ballads, Collected in The Southern Counties of Scotland; with a Few of Modern Date, Founded Upon Local Tradition by Scott, Walter, Sir

It appears that in the village there was an ancient pound or pinfold which had degenerated into an unsightly dust-heap, and the old stocks had passed into private hands.

From Vanishing England by Ditchfield, P. H. (Peter Hampson)

Oaths were not purpos'd more than law, To keep the good and just in awe, But to confine the bad and sinful, Like moral cattle, in a pinfold.

From Hudibras by Butler, Samuel

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

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