The Collaborative International Dictionary
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.
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.
Wiktionary
n. (context historical English) A chair used to punish woman, especially scolds, by ducking them in water.
WordNet
n. an instrument of punishment consisting of a chair in which offenders were ducked in water [syn: cucking stool]
Usage examples of "ducking stool".
I couldn't swim to the side of the pond as gracefully as she could after being dunked in the ducking stool.
At the close of that first day it was apparent that Judge Broadnax would be justified in sentencing her to jail or at least to the ducking stool, but when the second day began, the climate changed.
Pillory and stocks were common punishment in the Colonial period, but a ducking stool?
The Ducking Stool was very popular among young children on such a hot day.
But an illustration of a medieval ducking stool suggested that it was tailor‑.
But an illustration of a medieval ducking stool suggested that it was tailor-made for the purpose.
But an illustration of a medieval ducking stool suggested that it was tailor.
But an illustration of a medieval ducking stool suggested that it was tailormade for the purpose.
There had been Molly Parker, who had been sentenced to the ducking stool because she talked too freely about certain neighbors.