1. Plural of cangue; wooden frames or collars formerly used in China as a form of punishment or restraint, worn around the neck or body of an offender.
Usage: historical; often used in plural form; refers to a traditional Chinese punishment device

Examples

• Historical records describe the use of cangues as a public punishment in imperial China.
• The museum displayed replicas of cangues to illustrate traditional forms of criminal justice.
• Prisoners condemned to wear cangues faced both physical discomfort and public shame.
• Scholars studying Chinese history often examine the role of cangues in maintaining social order.
• The weight and design of cangues varied depending on the severity of the offense.