Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Pillory \Pil"lo*ry\, n.; pl. {Pillories}. [F. pilori; cf. Pr.
   espitlori, LL. piloricum, pilloricum, pellericum, pellorium,
   pilorium, spilorium; perhaps from a derivative of L.
   speculari to look around, observe. Cf. {Speculate}.]
   A frame of adjustable boards erected on a post, and having
   holes through which the head and hands of an offender were
   thrust so as to be exposed in front of it. --Shak.

Pillory \Pil"lo*ry\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pilloried}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Pillorying}.] [Cf. F. pilorier.]
   1. To set in, or punish with, the pillory. ``Hungering for
      Puritans to pillory.'' --Macaulay.

   2. Figuratively, to expose to public scorn. --Gladstone.

Source : WordNet®

pillory
     n : a wooden instrument of punishment on a post with holes for
         the neck and hands; offenders were locked in and so
         exposed to public scorn [syn: {stocks}]
     v 1: expose to ridicule or public scorn [syn: {gibbet}]
     2: punish by putting in a pillory
     3: criticize harshly or violently; "The press savaged the new
        President"; "The critics crucified the author for
        plagiarizing a famous passage" [syn: {savage}, {crucify}]
     [also: {pilloried}]