In which villians had to stand up to public exposure (7)
I believe the answer is:
pillory
This clue might be a double definition.
'in which villians had to stand up' is the first definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.
'public exposure' is the second definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?
'to' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for pillory that I've seen before include "Assail; old punishment frame" , "place of punishment" , "Expose to public derision" , "Expose to public ridicule" , "Publicly ridicule" .)