lynch

Meanings

1. To execute (somebody) without a proper legal trial or procedure, especially by hanging and backed by a mob.
2. To castigate severely.

1. Alternative form of linch.

1. A surname from Irish.
2. A placename
3. A place in the United States:
4. A home rule-class city in Harlan County, Kentucky.
5. An unincorporated community in Kent County, Maryland.
6. A township and village therein, in Boyd County, Nebraska.
7. A tributary of the North Fork Rivanna River, Virginia.
8. A place in England:
9. A hamlet in Berkeley parish, Stroud district, Gloucestershire (OS grid ref ST6799).
10. A hamlet in Overton parish, Basingstoke and Deane district, Hampshire (OS grid ref SU5049).
11. A hamlet in Selworthy parish, Somerset, previously in Somerset West and Taunton district (OS grid ref SS9047; West Lynch and East Lynch also appear on OS maps).
12. A minor river at Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, which joins the River Lea.

Etymology

First attested 1835, from Lynch law, which appeared in 1811. There is a popular claim that it was named after William Lynch, but equally strong arguments would have it named after Charles Lynch. For the surname, see Lynch. Ultimately a possible doublet of linch.