bilboes

British  

/ ˈbɪlbəʊz /

plural noun

1. a long iron bar with two sliding shackles, formerly used to confine the ankles of a prisoner

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Etymology

Origin of bilboes

C16: perhaps changed from _Bilbao

Example Sentences

They saw two great strong-boxes filled to the brim with iron chains, broken cutlases, rusty bilboes, and rock; a fool's treasure in truth.

From The Pirate Woman by Dingle, Aylward Edward

One of the earliest of these degrading engines of confinement for public exposure, to be used in punishment in this country, was the bilboes.

From Curious Punishments of Bygone Days by Earle, Alice Morse

Restraint, durance, confinement under arrest, or in the bilboes.

From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir

The stocks soon superseded the bilboes and were near neighbors and amusement purveyors to the tavern.

From Stage-coach and Tavern Days by Earle, Alice Morse

I would not be over-severe upon the bilboes in their special use in those early colonial settlements.

From Curious Punishments of Bygone Days by Earle, Alice Morse