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Ferule

//ˈfɛɹuːl// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A ruler-shaped instrument, generally used to slap naughty children on the hand. historical

    "In his hand he swayed a ferule, that sceptre of despotic power; the birch of justice reposed on three nails behind the throne, a constant terror to evil doers, […]."

  2. 2
    a switch (a stick or cane or flat paddle) used to punish children wordnet
Verb
  1. 1
    To punish with a ferule. transitive

    "And they were right in their assumption; I could cudgel a great lubberly delinquent of a boy[…]but when it came to feruling a girl[…]my manhood rebelled[…]."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle French ferule (modern French férule), from Latin ferula (“giant fennel”). Doublet of ferula.

Etymology 2

From Middle French ferule (modern French férule), from Latin ferula (“giant fennel”). Doublet of ferula.

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