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Cat-o'-nine-tails

noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A scourge (multi-tail whip) having nine, often knotted, whipcords, formerly used for flogging as naval punishment.

    "But I do tell you one thing, if you ſhould give ſuch Language at Sea, you'd have a Cat o' Nine-tails laid croſs your Shoulders."

  2. 2
    a whip with nine knotted cords wordnet
  3. 3
    A similarly constructed leather nine-tail whip, as used in British penal colonies and certain armies.

Etymology

From cat + o' + nine + tails, cat referring to the inflicted wounds resembling the scratches of a cat. First attested in 1695.

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