crim. law. A machine commonly made of wood, with boles in it, in which to confine persons accused of or guilty of a crime. 2. It was used either to confine unruly offenders by way of security, or convicted criminals for punishment. 3. This barbarous punishment has been generally abandoned in the United States. Commerce. Shares of stock in various companies, a portfolio, e.g. “my stocks are up in this bull market.”