Pillory \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.
Pillory \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.
Some of these lads and lasses are spoiling for a new fight, but perhaps they should consider the risks they themselves run if they try to pillory a Marine officer who mainly was trying to counter the spread of Soviet power.
When both the Sun and The Economist pillory a Conservative administration on the same day, the markets might be expected to tremble slightly.
He goes on to pillory the many Republican senators and members of Congress who supported the GCI.
But some residents are alarmed at what they consider the crass behavior of some cityhood supporters who would pillory old and respected residents who don't believe in their cause.
Pelourinho, the name of an area in the centre of the north-eastern Brazilian city of Salvador, means 'pillory' and in colonial times it was a place of horror for slaves taken there to be thrashed.