bilboes

British  

/ ˈbɪlbəʊz /

plural noun

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

---

Etymology

Origin of bilboes

C16: perhaps changed from _Bilbao

Example Sentences

Them apostles was fishermen, d’ye see, and the fishermen and longshore folk always was more peaceable and quieter-like than us deep-sea bilboes.

From Athelstane Ford by Upward, Allen

And another, the same year, for threatening—were he punished—he would carry the case to England, was summarily and fearlessly thrust into the bilboes.

From Curious Punishments of Bygone Days by Earle, Alice Morse

I'll give him a passport to Winchester bilboes.

From Wild Oats or, The Strolling Gentlemen by Anonymous

Soon another colonist felt the bilboes for “selling peeces and powder and shott to the Indians,” ever a bitterly-abhorred and fiercely-punished crime.

From Curious Punishments of Bygone Days by Earle, Alice Morse

Bill burst out, "I forgot he's in the bilboes, Miss. Now ain't that a dummed shame?"

From Gold Out of Celebes by Dingle, Aylward Edward