bilboes

Example Sentences

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A slang term for the ship's irons or 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

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

The bilboes were the first engine of punishment in Boston, and were used until 1639, and perhaps much later.

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

I'll give him a passport to Winchester bilboes.

From Wild Oats or, The Strolling Gentlemen by Anonymous

Whether the Spanish Armada story is true or not, bilboes were certainly much used on board ship.

From Curious Punishments of Bygone Days by Earle, Alice Morse