Definitions for: Pillory

[n] a wooden instrument of punishment on a post with holes for the neck and hands; offenders were locked in and so exposed to public scorn
[v] criticize harshly or violently; "The press savaged the new President"; "The critics crucified the author for plagiarizing a famous passage"
[v] punish by putting in a pillory
[v] expose to ridicule or public scorn

Webster (1913) Definition: Pil"lo*ry, n.; pl. Pillories. [F. pilori; cf. Pr.
espitlori, LL. piloricum, pilloricum, pellericum, pellorium,
pilorium, spilorium; perhaps from a derivative of L.
speculari to look around, observe. Cf. Speculate.]
A frame of adjustable boards erected on a post, and having
holes through which the head and hands of an offender were
thrust so as to be exposed in front of it. --Shak.

Pil"lo*ry, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pilloried; p. pr. &
vb. n. Pillorying.] [Cf. F. pilorier.]
1. To set in, or punish with, the pillory. ``Hungering for
Puritans to pillory.'' --Macaulay.

2. Figuratively, to expose to public scorn. --Gladstone.

Synonyms: crucify, gibbet, savage, stocks

See Also: criticise, criticize, display, exhibit, expose, instrument of punishment, penalise, penalize, pick apart, punish

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