How Do You Spell PILLORY?

Pronunciation: [pˈɪləɹˌi] (IPA)

The word "pillory" is spelled with two "l"s and one "r". Its IPA phonetic transcription is /ˈpɪləri/. The first syllable is pronounced with a short "i" sound, while the second syllable has a schwa sound. The "l" sound in the second syllable is followed by a weak "r" sound, which is pronounced lightly in American English. A pillory is a device used for punishment, consisting of a wooden frame with holes for the head and hands, in which an offender was locked and exposed to ridicule.

PILLORY Meaning and Definition

1. The term "pillory" refers to both a physical structure and a form of punishment in the legal system. As a noun, pillory denotes a wooden framework consisting of a long, vertical post with holes for securing the head and hands of a convicted criminal. This structure, typically erected in a public place, serves to expose the individual to public scorn and humiliation. The purpose of the pillory is to publicly shame and punish the offender as a means of deterrence.

   As a verb, pillory signifies the act of subjecting someone to this form of punishment, often accompanied by jeering and verbal abuse from bystanders. In a broader sense, pillory can also denote the public criticism or censure of someone's actions, ideas, or character, regardless of an official legal context.

   Historically, the pillory played a significant role in criminal justice systems, particularly in medieval and early modern periods. Offenders were placed in the pillory as a means to inflict public humiliation, disapproval, and sometimes even physical harm as a result of public anger. Today, while the physical use of the pillory as a punishment has largely been discontinued, the term is often used metaphorically to describe situations where individuals or ideas face public condemnation or become subjects of ridicule and scorn in the court of public opinion.

2. • A scaffold, on which was erected a post or pillar surmounted by a flat board pierced with holes for the head and hands of the offender, who stood in an upright position, with his hands and head jutting out on one side of the flat board.

   • To punish with the pillory.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for PILLORY

• pilocy
• pillbury
• billary
• pillon
• pillored
• hillery
• pillo
• piller
• pilor
• pilwort
• pilllory
• pillosy
• pilworm
• Pallary
• philtory
• pilfry
• Pilfury
• pillert
• -pillery
• plillowy
• pillowwy
• dilory
• pilloric
• Apillery
• Pillyowy
• Killory
• pillrrd
• pillord
• Billord
• Pillarry
• Pillaary
• Gilleory
• Polaory
• Pollorly
• Pilfurry
• Pillerys
• oillor
• Pillote

Etymology of PILLORY

The word "pillory" is derived from the Old French word "pilori", which itself originated from the Medieval Latin term "piloria". The Latin word can be traced back to the Latin verb "pilare", meaning "to deprive of hair". This connects to the original purpose of the pillory as a punishment, where offenders' heads and hands were locked in a wooden framework, exposing them to public shame, and sometimes their hair was forcibly cut off. The concept was gradually adapted to mean any method of exposing individuals to public ridicule or censure.

Similar spelling words for PILLORY

• pilar,
• pallor,
• pilary,
• pillar,
• Piller.

Plural form of PILLORY is PILLORIES

Conjugate verb Pillory

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have pilloried

you would have pilloried

he/she/it would have pilloried

we would have pilloried

they would have pilloried

I would have pillory

you would have pillory

he/she/it would have pillory

we would have pillory

they would have pillory

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been pillorying

you would have been pillorying

he/she/it would have been pillorying

we would have been pillorying

they would have been pillorying

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would pillory

you would pillory

he/she/it would pillory

we would pillory

they would pillory

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be pillorying

you would be pillorying

he/she/it would be pillorying

we would be pillorying

they would be pillorying

FUTURE

I will pillory

you will pillory

he/she/it will pillory

we will pillory

they will pillory

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be pillorying

you will be pillorying

he/she/it will be pillorying

we will be pillorying

they will be pillorying

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have pilloried

you will have pilloried

he/she/it will have pilloried

we will have pilloried

they will have pilloried

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been pillorying

you will have been pillorying

he/she/it will have been pillorying

we will have been pillorying

they will have been pillorying

IMPERATIVE

you pillory

we let´s pillory

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to pillory

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was pillorying

you were pillorying

he/she/it was pillorying

we were pillorying

they were pillorying

PAST PARTICIPLE

pilloried

PAST PERFECT

I had pilloried

you had pilloried

he/she/it had pilloried

we had pilloried

they had pilloried

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been pillorying

you had been pillorying

he/she/it had been pillorying

we had been pillorying

they had been pillorying

PRESENT

I pillory

you pillory

he/she/it pillories

we pillory

they pillory

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am pillorying

you are pillorying

he/she/it is pillorying

we are pillorying

they are pillorying

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

pillorying

PRESENT PERFECT

I have pilloried

you have pilloried

he/she/it has pilloried

we have pilloried

they have pilloried

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been pillorying

you have been pillorying

he/she/it has been pillorying

we have been pillorying

they have been pillorying

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it pillory

SIMPLE PAST

I pilloried

you pilloried

he/she/it pilloried

we pilloried

they pilloried