pillory

[ pil-uh-ree ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural pil·lo·ries.

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.

to set in the pillory.
to expose to public derision, ridicule, or abuse:
The candidate mercilessly pilloried his opponent.

pillory

/ ˈpɪlərɪ /

noun

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

verb

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

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Other Words From

un·pillo·ried adjective

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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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of pillory¹

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

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