Definition of tumbril in English:
tumbril
(also tumbrel)
nounˈtʌmbr(ə)lˈtʌmbrɪlˈtəmbrəl
historical 1An 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.
〈史〉（尤指法国革命时期押送犯人去断头台的）翻卸式无篷车
Example sentencesExamples
- As the dawn broke over Paris the sound of the tumbrel wheels awoke the prisoners from their fitful sleep and they were soon loaded like animals to go on their last journey.
- Connected to the terrible lucidity of the condemned man in the tumbril is the unearthly lucidity of the pre-epileptic aura, bliss without time or space, eternity in an instant.
- Here come the tumbrils, inching their way slowly through the rotting cabbages and vulgar ribaldry of Republican isolationists.
- 1.1 A two-wheeled covered cart which carried tools or ammunition for an army.
军用两轮篷车（用来运输工具、弹药）
Example sentencesExamples
- While terrified soldiers sought refuge inside the ministry, a tumbril was found.
Origin
Middle English (originally denoting a type of cucking-stool): from Old French tomberel, from tomber 'to fall'.