pinfold

[ pin-fohld ]

noun

1. a pound for stray animals.
2. a fold, as for sheep or cattle.
3. a place of confinement or restraint.

verb (used with object)

1. to confine in or as in a pinfold.

pinfold

/ ˈpɪnˌfəʊld /

noun

1. 1. a pound for stray cattle
   2. a fold or pen for sheep or cattle

verb

1. tr to gather or confine in or as if in a pinfold

Word History and Origins

Origin of pinfold¹

1150–1200; late Middle English pynfold for *pindfold, equivalent to Old English pynd ( an ) to impound (derivative of pund pound ³ ) + fold ²; replacing Middle English po ( u ) n ( d ) fold ( e ), late Old English pundfald

Word History and Origins

Origin of pinfold¹

Old English pundfald, from pound ³ + fold ²

Example Sentences

Would you have Providence to shoot you here sitting, like so many hares hunted into a pinfold?

From Project Gutenberg

Why, they must have been fairly starved on purpose; nay, they must have been in the pinfold all the time he had been laid up.

From Project Gutenberg

Pinder, the man in charge of the pound or pinfold, was the name of a famous wicket-keeper of the last century.

From Project Gutenberg

Like sheep hounded into their pinfold; bleating for mercy, where is no mercy, but only a whetted knife?

From Project Gutenberg

He was a servant of corruption, holding a candle to disorderly walkers and happy sinners on their way into the devil's pinfold.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• crate
• enclosure
• jail
• pen