pillory

Pronunciation: /ˈpɪləɹi/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a wooden instrument of punishment on a post with holes for the wrists and neck; offenders were locked in and so exposed to public scorn
  2. verb expose to ridicule or public scorn
  3. verb punish by putting in a pillory

Etymology

From Middle English pilory, pillorie, from Old French pilori, pellori, which is either from Old Occitan espilori or Latin pīla (“pillar”).

In classic literature

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
instrument of punishment

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