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† ˈgemonies Rom. Antiq. Obs.
Also 7 sing. Gemony.
[ad. L. (scālæ) Gemōniæ; of uncertain origin, the assumed connexion with gemĕre to groan having little probability, in spite of the existence of the synonymous form Gemitōriæ.]
Steps on the Aventine Hill leading to the Tiber, to which the bodies of executed criminals were dragged to be thrown into the river.
1598R. Grenewey Tacitus' Ann. iii. ii. 67 They had drawne Pisoes images to the Gemonies; and broken them in peeces, if [etc.]. 1603B. Jonson Sejanus v. i. (1605) K 2, Some your seruants; who..Slip't downe the Gemonies, and brake their neckes. 1626Massinger Rom. Actor i. i. (1629) B 2 b, Noe day passes In which some are not fastend to the hooke, Or throwne downe from the Gemonies. 1656–81Blount Glossogr., Gemony (gemoniæ scalæ), a place in Rome where condemned persons were cast down by a pair of stairs head⁓long into the River Tiber.
¶ Misapplied fig. in the sense of ‘tortures’.
1656R. Fletcher Martial's Epigr. etc. 174 The world, fame, honour, wealth & pleasure then Are the fair wrack and Gemonies of men. a1683Oldham To Mem. C. Morwent xxxiii. in Rem. (1684) 84 Anguish through every Member flies And all those inward Gemonies Whereby frail Flesh in Torture dies. |