'Ducking stool' definitions:
Definition of 'ducking stool'
From: WordNet
noun
An instrument of punishment consisting of a chair in which offenders were ducked in water [syn: cucking stool, ducking stool]
Definition of 'Ducking stool'
From: GCIDE
- 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]
Definition of 'ducking stool'
From: GCIDE
- 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]
Definition of 'ducking stool'
From: GCIDE
- 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]