ducking stool

4 definitions found

ducking stool - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Cucking stool \Cuck"ing stool`\ (k?k"?ng st??l`). [Cf. AS.
     scealfingst[=o]l, a word of similar meaning, allied to
     scealfor a diver, mergus avis; or possibly from F. coquine a
     hussy, slut, jade, f. of coquin, OE. cokin, a rascal; or cf.
     Icel. k?ka to dung, k?kr dung, the name being given as to a
     disgracing or infamous punishment.]
     A kind of chair formerly used for punishing scolds, and also
     dishonest tradesmen, by fastening them in it, usually in
     front of their doors, to be pelted and hooted at by the mob,
     but sometimes to be taken to the water and ducked; -- called
     also a castigatory, a tumbrel, and a trebuchet; and
     often, but not so correctly, a ducking stool. --Sir. W.
     Scott.
     [1913 Webster]

  Ducking \Duck"ing\,
     n. & a., from Duck, v. t. & i.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Ducking stool, a stool or chair in which common scolds were
        formerly tied, and plunged into water, as a punishment.
        See Cucking stool. The practice of ducking began in the
        latter part of the 15th century, and prevailed until the
        early part of the 18th, and occasionally as late as the
        19th century. --Blackstone. Chambers.
        [1913 Webster]

  Castigatory \Cas"ti*ga*to*ry\, n.
     An instrument formerly used to punish and correct arrant
     scolds; -- called also a ducking stool, or trebucket.
     --Blacktone.
     [1913 Webster]

ducking stool - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  ducking stool
      n 1: an instrument of punishment consisting of a chair in which
           offenders were ducked in water [syn: cucking stool,
           ducking stool]