pillory

Etymology

From Middle English pillori, from Old French pilori, pellori, which is either from Old Occitan espilori or Latin pīla (“pillar”).

noun

1. A framework on a post, with holes for the hands and head, used as a means of punishment and humiliation.
   Cros·! þou dost no trouþe ; / On a pillori· my fruit to pinne, / He haþ no spot· of Adam sinne ; / Flesch· and veines· nou fleo a-twinne, / Wherfore I· rede of routhe·:] [c. 1400, “Dispute between Mary and the Cross”, in Richard Morris, editor, Legends of the Holy Rood: Symbols of the Passions and Cross Poems, stanza I, page 131

verb

1. (transitive) To put in a pillory.
2. (transitive) To subject to humiliation, scorn, ridicule or abuse.
   Mike Sarne would end up making a celluloid disasterpiece that is to this day pilloried as one of the worst films ever made. 2008, Steven Daly, “Swinging into Disaster”, in Graydon Carter, editor, Vanity Fair’s Tales of Hollywood: Rebels, Reds, and Graduates and the Wild Stories Behind the Making of 13 Iconic Films, Penguin, page 242
3. (transitive) To criticize harshly.
   The breakthrough came through Torres who, pilloried for his miss against Manchester United a week earlier, scored his second goal of the season. September 24, 2011, Aled Williams, “Chelsea 4 - 1 Swansea”, in BBC Sport
   [T]o suggest that their mere acquaintance in any way undermines Pinker’s work would be to make the kind of ad hominem fallacy that he rightfully pillories in this book. 2021-09-29, Jennifer Szalai, “In ‘Rationality,’ Steven Pinker Sticks Up (Again) for Reason’s Role in Human Progress”, in The New York Times, →ISSN