bilboes

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

The bilboes were iron bars fixed to the deck a little abaft the main-mast.

From On the Spanish Main Or, Some English forays on the Isthmus of Darien. by Masefield, John

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

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

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