hustings

[huhs-tingz] /ˈhʌs tɪŋz/
noun, (used with a singular or plural verb)
1.
(before 1872) the temporary platform on which candidates for the British Parliament stood when nominated and from which they addressed the electors.
2.
any place from which political campaign speeches are made.
3.
the political campaign trail.
4.
Also called hustings court. a local court in certain parts of Virginia.
Origin
before 1050; Middle English, Old English < Old Danish hūs-thing house meeting. See house, thing2
Examples from the web for hustings
  • He sent her out on the hustings, and looked on approvingly as she forged her new persona.
  • And out on the hustings, campaigners are gearing up.
  • The mayor, recorder, and aldermen acted as justices of the peace and sat monthly as a court of hustings.
British Dictionary definitions for hustings

hustings

/ˈhʌstɪŋz/
noun (functioning as pl or singular)
1.
(Brit) (before 1872) the platform on which candidates were nominated for Parliament and from which they addressed the electors
2.
the proceedings at a parliamentary election
3.
political campaigning
Word Origin
C11: from Old Norse hūsthing, from hūshouse + thing assembly
Word Origin and History for hustings
n.

Old English husting "meeting, court, tribunal," from Old Norse husðing "council," from hus "house" (see house (n.)) + ðing "assembly" (see thing); so called because it was a meeting of the men who formed the "household" of a nobleman or king. The native Anglo-Saxon word for this was folc-gemot. The plural became the usual form c.1500; sense of "temporary platform for political speeches" developed by 1719, apparently from London's Court of Hustings, presided over by the Lord Mayor, which was held on a platform in the Guildhall. This sense broadened to encompass the whole election process.