cat-o-nine-tails
Multi-tailed flogger
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 army.
The knots left marks resembling cat scratches.
The expression room to swing a cat originally referred to space needed to wield this instrument: There's not enough room to swing a cat in here.
Beating as punishment
- lashingBeating or binding
- whippingRepeated striking blows
- naval disciplineOrder enforced at sea
- stripesParallel linear markings
scourging · corporal punishment · flagellation · military justice · backs · sentences · courts-martial · mutiny
Self-mortification for wrongdoing
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
- self-flagellationDeliberately striking one's own body
- penitentOne showing remorse
- monkCloistered religious devotee
asceticism · Opus Dei · medieval · monastery · sin · atonement · suffering · discipline
Part for gripping
Era of wind-propelled ships
- 18th centuryYears 1701-1800
- 19th centuryThe eighteen hundreds
- press gangForced military recruitment squad
- man-of-warArmed sailing vessel
Master and Commander · convict ships · penal colonies · slave ships · abolition · prison reform · HMS · transportation
flogging
Beating as punishment
- lashingBeating or binding
- whippingRepeated striking blows
- naval disciplineOrder enforced at sea
stripes · scourging · corporal punishment · flagellation · military justice · backs · sentences · courts-martial · mutiny · insubordination
penance
Self-mortification for wrongdoing
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
- self-flagellationDeliberately striking one's own body
- penitentOne showing remorse
monk · asceticism · Opus Dei · medieval · monastery · sin · atonement · suffering · discipline · contrition
handle
Part for gripping
Age of Sail
Era of wind-propelled ships
- 18th centuryYears 1701-1800
- 19th centuryThe eighteen hundreds
- press gangForced military recruitment squad
man-of-war · Master and Commander · convict ships · penal colonies · slave ships · abolition · prison reform · HMS · transportation · Australia
cat-o-nine-tailsslap on the wrist
Trivially lenient penalty
verbal warning · reprimand · caution · admonishment · feather duster
cat-o-nine-tailsmercy
Compassion toward offenders
clemency · amnesty · pardon · healing balm · restorative justice
cats, nine, nines, ninth, ninths, tail, tails, tailed, tailing