jougs

English

Etymology

• French jougs

Pronunciation

• IPA: /dʒuːɡz/
• Rhymes: -uːɡz

Noun

jougs (plural only)

1. A chained iron collar once used in churches to expose sinners to public scorn
   • 1898, William Baird, Annals of Duddingston and Portobello, page 193-194:

     Fornication and adultery were crimes punishable in case of confession in various ways [...] standing in the jougs at the door of the kirk barefoot and in sackcloth [...]
     Blasphemy, swearing, drunkenness, " flyting and scolding," slander, " the abuse of husbands by their wives," and other suchlike offences were punishable with exposure to public scorn in the " jougs," [...] The " jougs " (from jugum, a yoke) consisted of an iron collar in two halves fastened by a clasp, and suspended by a chain about six feet from the ground, which was generally hung on the wall at the entrance gate of the Church.

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French

Noun

jougs m pl

1. Plural form of joug