pil|lo|ry

pil|lo|ry «PIHL uhr ee», noun, plural -ries, verb, -ried, -ry|ing.

–n.

1. a frame of wood erected on a post, with holes through which a person's head and hands were put. The pillory was formerly used as a punishment, being set up in a public place where the crowd could make fun of the offender.

2. Figurative. any means or instance of exposing something, such as a person, some act, condition, or experiment, to public ridicule, contempt, or abuse.

–v.t.

1. to put (a person) in the pillory; punish by exposure in a pillory.

2. Figurative. to expose to public ridicule, contempt, or abuse: »

The newspapers pilloried the unpopular mayor.

╂[< Old French pellori; origin uncertain]