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These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'derrick.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, London was the home of a notorious executioner named Derick. Among those he beheaded was the Earl of Essex, Robert Devereux, who according to a street ballad of the time had once saved the life of the ungrateful executioner. While members of the nobility were accorded the courtesy of beheading, it was the lot of commoners to be hanged, and those sent to face the rope at the hands of the executioner Derick nicknamed the gallows at Tyburn after him. Throughout the 17th century, "derick" was used as a name for both hangman and gallows. After the days of public hangings, the word derrick was adopted as a name for a number of less ominous frameworks or towers.
First Known Use: circa 1752
in the meaning defined at sense 1
See Words from the same year: a tall machine with a long part like an arm that is used to move or lift heavy things especially on ships
: a tall tower that is built over an oil well and used to support and guide the tool that is used to dig the hole and get oil out of the ground
See words that rhyme with derrick Spanish Central: Translation of derrick Nglish: Translation of derrick for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about derrick
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