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Prynne

American  
[prin] / prɪn /

noun

  1. William, 1600–69, English Puritan leader and pamphleteer.


Prynne British  
/ prɪn /

noun

  1. William. 1600–69, English Puritan leader and pamphleteer, whose ears were cut off in punishment for his attacks on Laud

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Among papers scattered in the dusty attic he finds, along with a scarlet and gold embroidered A, the true story of Hester Prynne written by the surveyor from 100 years before.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

When William arrives at his New York hotel, the front desk greets him: “Wow, look who it is, Hester Prynne herself.”

From Washington Post • Feb. 1, 2021

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne Decades before Salem, Hester Prynne steps out of the Boston prison house with her “witch child”.

From The Guardian • Jun. 17, 2020

The Puritan appetite needs regular sating; every generation, you could say, must have its Hester Prynne.

From The New Yorker • Dec. 6, 2019

Like an oblivious Hester Prynne she carries her letter, the green capital D of her bow slung over her shoulder.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

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