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Whiplash

//ˈwɪpˌlæʃ// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The lash of a whip. countable
  2. 2
    a quick blow delivered with a whip or whiplike object wordnet
  3. 3
    An injury to the upper spine connected to a violent jerk of the head in either a backward or forward or side to side direction, resembling the motion of a whip. countable, uncountable
  4. 4
    an injury to the neck (the cervical vertebrae) resulting from rapid acceleration or deceleration (as in an automobile accident) wordnet
  5. 5
    An abrupt and unexpected change, or the resulting feeling of shock. countable, figuratively, uncountable

    "Some parents, feeling too hurt by the push-off or taking their teenager’s rejections too personally, choose to make themselves unavailable. In some ways it does feel better to avoid episodes of emotional whiplash."

Verb
  1. 1
    To jerk back and forth; to buffet.

    "[…] Ms. Kennedy has been whiplashed by assertions that she is at once protected and presumptuous."

  2. 2
    To lash as if with a whip.

    "After a while, he let go of my hand in order to protect his own face from being whiplashed by the low branches."

Etymology

Etymology 1

Univerbation of whip + lash.

Etymology 2

Univerbation of whip + lash.

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