pillory
pillory definition
pil·lory (pil′ə rē)
noun pl. pillories -·ries
- a device consisting of a wooden board with holes for the head and hands, in which petty offenders were formerly locked and exposed to public scorn
- any exposure to public scorn, etc.
Etymology: ME pilory < OFr pilori < ML pilorium < L pila, column + -orium, -ory
transitive verb pilloried -·ried, pillorying -·ry·ing
- to punish by placing in a pillory
- to lay open to public ridicule, scorn, or abuse
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