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.

They saw two great strong-boxes filled to the brim with iron chains, broken cutlases, rusty bilboes, and rock; a fool's treasure in truth.

From The Pirate Woman by Dingle, Aylward Edward

The next year another Newe-towne man, being penitent, Henry Bright, was set in the bilboes for “swearynge.”

From Curious Punishments of Bygone Days by Earle, Alice Morse

One was a man who obstinately refused to go to meeting, and after being warned several times was clapped into the bilboes by the tythingman.

From Ben Comee A Tale of Rogers's Rangers, 1758-59 by Canavan, M. J. (Michael Joseph)

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

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