lynch
pronunciation
How to pronounce lynch in British English:
UK [lɪntʃ]
How to pronounce lynch in American English:
US [lɪntʃ]
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- Verb:
- kill without legal sanction
Word Origin
- lynch
- lynch: [19] This verb for ‘punishing someone without an official trial’ owes its existence to one William Lynch, a planter and justice of the peace of Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA, who at the beginning of the 19th century took it upon himself to set up unofficial tribunals to try suspects. His rough and ready method of administering justice was termed Lynch’s law, later lynch law, and the verb followed in the 1830s.
- lynch (v.)
- 1835, from earlier Lynch law (1811), likely named after William Lynch (1742-1820) of Pittsylvania, Virginia, who c. 1780 led a vigilance committee to keep order there during the Revolution. Other sources trace the name to Charles Lynch (1736-1796) a Virginia magistrate who fined and imprisoned Tories in his district c. 1782, but the connection to him is less likely. Originally any sort of summary justice, especially by flogging; narrowing of focus to "extralegal execution by hanging" is 20c. Lynch mob is attested from 1838. The surname is perhaps from Irish Loingseach "sailor." Compare earlier Lydford law, from a place in Dartmoor, England, "where was held a Stannaries Court of summary jurisdiction" [Weekley], hence: Lydford law: is to hang men first, and indite them afterwards. [Thomas Blount, "Glossographia," 1656] Related: Lynched; lynching.
Example
- 1. Lynch now says the pentagon exaggerated her story for propaganda purposes .
- 2. Lynch said the deal-making didn 't result in cut commissions .
- 3. I read peter lynch 's book to understand how he chooses stocks .
- 4. Now lehman has failed . Merrill lynch agreed sunday to sell itself to bank of america .
- 5. You used to work for merrill lynch ?