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.

In the very oldest court records, which are still preserved, of the settlement of Boston—the Bay colony—appear the frequent sentences of offenders to be placed in the bilboes.

From Curious Punishments of Bygone Days by Earle, Alice Morse

Two weeks later his trial was had, and he was ordered "to be set into the bilboes," and afterwards sent prisoner to England.

From England in America, 1580-1652 by Tyler, Lyon Gardiner

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

I'll give him a passport to Winchester bilboes.

From Wild Oats or, The Strolling Gentlemen by Anonymous

John Smith, of Medford, for ſwearing, being penitent, was ſet in bilboes.

From The Olden Time Series, Vol. 5: Some Strange and Curious Punishments Gleanings Chiefly from Old Newspapers of Boston and Salem, Massachusetts by Brooks, Henry M. (Henry Mason)