tumbril

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tum·bril / ˈtəmbrəl/ (also tum·brel) • n. hist. an open cart that tilted backward to empty out its load, in particular one used to convey condemned prisoners to the guillotine during the French Revolution. ∎  a two-wheeled covered cart that carried tools or ammunition for an army.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

tumbril

views updated May 21 2018

tumbril an open cart that tilted backwards to empty out its load, in particular one used to convey condemned prisoners to the guillotine during the French Revolution.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

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