cat-o'-nine-tails
Knotted punishment whip
A cat-o'-nine-tails is a whip with nine knotted cords attached to a handle, historically used for flogging as punishment in the British navy and prisons.
The instrument was designed to inflict maximum pain, leaving parallel welts or cuts across the back.
Often shortened to the cat: The captain ordered twenty lashes with the cat.
Strike or bind
- scourgeCause of mass suffering
- floggerMulti-lashed striking instrument
- knoutLeather flogging implement
- thongNarrow fastening strip
knotted · braided · leather · handle · tails · flagellum · rawhide · strap
Strike or bind
- stingSharp wound from insect
- weltRaised skin injury
- scarPermanent mark from healing
- woundCoiled, or an injury
bleeding · laceration · agony · suffering · torture · flesh · back · raw
Beating as punishment
- corporalOf the flesh
- lashingBeating or binding
- chastisementFormal scolding or correction
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
penalty · sentence · convict · retribution · justice · correctional · deterrence · sanction
Seagoing transport vessel
- sailorSeafaring crew member
- maritimeOf the sea
- deckShip's flat surface
- seafaringTraveling by ocean vessel
Royal Navy · bosun · mutiny · desertion · insubordination · shipboard · galley · mast
Years 1701-1800
- 19th centuryThe eighteen hundreds
- abolitionFormal discontinuation of practice
- BritishOf the United Kingdom
- colonialOf occupied territories
slavery · plantation · impressment · military · prison · reform · outlawed · barbaric
lash
Strike or bind
- scourgeCause of mass suffering
- floggerMulti-lashed striking instrument
- knoutLeather flogging implement
thong · knotted · braided · leather · handle · tails · flagellum · rawhide · strap · cord
lash
Strike or bind
wound · bleeding · laceration · agony · suffering · torture · flesh · back · raw · bloody
flogging
Beating as punishment
- corporalOf the flesh
- lashingBeating or binding
- chastisementFormal scolding or correction
discipline · penalty · sentence · convict · retribution · justice · correctional · deterrence · sanction · offender
ship
Seagoing transport vessel
seafaring · Royal Navy · bosun · mutiny · desertion · insubordination · shipboard · galley · mast · rigging
18th century
Years 1701-1800
- 19th centuryThe eighteen hundreds
- abolitionFormal discontinuation of practice
- BritishOf the United Kingdom
colonial · slavery · plantation · impressment · military · prison · reform · outlawed · barbaric · antiquated
cat-o'-nine-tailsreward
Payment for service
medal · commendation · prize · laurel wreath · trophy
cat-o'-nine-tailshealing balm
Medicinal ointment for wounds
cat-o'-nine-tailsswitch
Circuit-breaking toggle device
ruler · open hand · verbal warning · stern look · slap on the wrist
cats, catlike, caterwaul, cattail, cattails, caterwauling, felines, cattery, caterwauled