A pillory is a historical punishment device used primarily in Europe and America from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. It consists of a wooden framework with holes for securing a person's head and hands, exposing them to public humiliation. Offenders were often displayed in the pillory for various crimes, allowing the public to ridicule or throw objects at them. The use of the pillory was intended to deter crime by shaming the offender. Over time, it fell out of favor as societies moved towards more humane forms of punishment, leading to its eventual abolition in most places. Today, the pillory is often referenced in discussions about justice and public shaming, as well as in literature and historical studies.