What Does The Word` Pillories `mean?

Pillories is either a plural form, or verb form, of the word PILLORY.

Originally the pillory was a form of public punishment. It was a device made of wood, consisting of a framework with holes for the head and hands. It could be opened, someone's head and hands were put inside and then the pillory was locked shut. Offenders could be left in the pillory for days, often being pelted with stones and dirt by the crowd. Its use continued at least into the 18th century.

From this, we have the verb "to pillory." This means to accuse someone in public, specially through the media. A disgraced politician, for instance, who is the subject of angry news stories, could be said to get "pilloried in the press." The -ies form could be a verb, as in: Newspaper X always pillories any public figure who has been involved in corruption."

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