▪ I. lynch, v. Orig. U.S.
(lɪnʃ)
[f. Lynch: see lynch law.]
trans. To condemn and punish by lynch law. In early use, implying chiefly the infliction of punishment such as whipping, tarring and feathering, or the like; now only, to inflict sentence of death by lynch law.
| 1836 Niles' Reg. 1 Oct. 69/1 Some personal friend of Mr. Bronx..proceeded to the mansion of judge Bermudez, with a view to Lynch him. 1839 Marryat Diary Amer. Ser. i. III. 240 It may appear strange that people should be lynched for the mere vice of gambling. 1856 Emerson Eng. Traits (1857) 154 The prison was burst open by the mob, and George [of Cappadocia] was lynched, as he deserved. 1884 Sir L. H. Griffin Gt. Repub. 151 It is..unreasonable to insist on the guilt of an unfortunate who has been lynched after an acquittal in open court. |
| transf. 1839 Longfellow in Life (1891) I. 329, I have Lynched all the trees,—that is, tarred them. |
¶ App. misused for: To render infamous.
| 1835 Disraeli 9 May in Corr. w. Sister (1886) 37 If all the O'Connells were to challenge me, I could not think of meeting them now. I consider and everyone else that they are lynched. |
▪ II. lynch
variant of linch n.2