tumbril
/ˈtʌmbr(ə)l
/ /ˈtʌmbrɪl/(also tumbrel)
noun 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.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....
- Here come the tumbrils, inching their way slowly through the rotting cabbages and vulgar ribaldry of Republican isolationists.
- 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.
1.1A two-wheeled covered cart which carried tools or ammunition for an army.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'.