v. Orig. U.S. [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. Longf., 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.
