Pilate
pronunciation
How to pronounce Pilate in British English:
UK ['pailət]
How to pronounce Pilate in American English:
US
Word Origin
- Pilate (n.)
- c. 1400 as a term of reproach, from the Roman surname, especially that of Pontius, a governor of Judaea, from Latin Pilatus, literally "armed with javelins," from pilum "javelin" (see pile (n.2)). Among slang and cant uses of Pontius Pilate mentioned in the 1811 "Dictionary of Buckish Slang, University Wit and Pickpocket Eloquence" is "(Cambridge) a Mr. Shepherd of Trinity College; who disputing with a brother parson on the comparative rapidity with which they read the liturgy, offered to give him as far as Pontius Pilate in the Belief."
Example
- 1. Pilate ? What 's he wantto see me for ?
- 2. And pilate 's wife 's bedroom is here .
- 3. We 're gonna kidnap pilate 's wife , take her back , issue demands .
- 4. When pilate heard this , he tried to find a way to set jesus free .
- 5. With pilate 's permission , he came and took the body away .