cucking-stool

Hortense, and another prayed Heaven through his nose that his daughter might "lie in her grave ere she minced her steps with such dissoluteness of hair and unseemly broideries and bright colours, showing the lightness of her mind," and a third averred that "a cucking-stool would teach a maid to walk more shamefacedly," I whirled upon them in a fury that had disinherited me from Eli Kirke's graces ere I spake ten words.

Heralds of Empire Being the Story of One Ramsay Stanhope, Lieutenant to Pierre Radisson in the Northern Fur Trade 1903

This was called a "cucking-stool," and was used to duck scolds or brawlers.

English Villages 1892

A bridle, something like a bit for a restive horse, was in use for the curbing of scolds; but this was a later invention than the cucking-stool, or ducking-stool.

For Whom Shakespeare Wrote Charles Dudley Warner 1864

A bridle, something like a bit for a restive horse, was in use for the curbing of scolds; but this was a later invention than the cucking-stool, or ducking-stool.

The Complete Project Gutenberg Writings of Charles Dudley Warner Charles Dudley Warner 1864

A bridle, something like a bit for a restive horse, was in use for the curbing of scolds; but this was a later invention than the cucking-stool, or ducking-stool.

Complete Essays Charles Dudley Warner 1864

Why, my ugly face was enough to put gowns, caps, and kirtles, out of fashion for ever — the very dogs fled from me — Had I passed any hamlet that had but five huts in it, I could not have escaped the cucking-stool. —

Woodstock 1855

-- Yes, reverend sir, old beldame and cucking-stool were his best words, when he knew I had no one to take my part, save old Raoul, who cannot take his own.

The Betrothed Walter Scott 1801

Why, my ugly face was enough to put gowns, caps, and kirtles, out of fashion for ever -- the very dogs fled from me -- Had I passed any hamlet that had but five huts in it, I could not have escaped the cucking-stool.

Woodstock; or, the Cavalier Walter Scott 1801

Punishment for some freely chosen pleasure with a lover included a hefty fine, three weeks in prison, a session on the "cucking-stool", and ejection from the Liberty.

The Independent - Frontpage RSS Feed 2009

_cucking-stool_, till the Fleming was out of hearing, and then became more specific in her objurgation.

The Betrothed Walter Scott 1801