pillory Definition
a wooden frame with holes for the head and hands, in which an offender was imprisoned and exposed to public abuse.
Using pillory: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "pillory" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The thief was sentenced to a day in the pillory.
Example
The town square once had a pillory where offenders were punished.
Example
The use of the pillory as a punishment was abolished in the 19th century.
pillory Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for pillory
- stocks
- gallows
- pranger
Phrases with pillory
Example
The politician was put in the pillory after his controversial remarks.
Example
The celebrity managed to escape the pillory by making a public apology.
Example
The comedian stood in the pillory as the audience booed him off stage.
Origins of pillory
from Old French 'pilori', from 'pel', meaning 'stake'
Summary: pillory in Brief
The term 'pillory' [ˈpɪləri] refers to a wooden frame with holes for the head and hands, used to imprison and expose offenders to public abuse. It was a common form of punishment in the past, but was abolished in the 19th century. Phrases like 'put someone in the pillory' and 'escape the pillory' are used to describe public ridicule or humiliation.
