iron boot
Medieval crushing device
An iron boot is a medieval torture device—a metal casing locked around the foot and lower leg, then heated or gradually compressed with wedges to crush bones.
The term appears in historical accounts of interrogation and punishment.
Figuratively, iron boot suggests oppressive force or crushing constraint: the iron boot of totalitarianism.
- the rackBody-stretching torture apparatus
- torture deviceObject causing deliberate pain
- weightMeasure of heaviness
- heavyOf great mass
- thumbscrewCompression torture device
oppression · tyranny · pillory · shackles · authoritarianism · police state · military rule · subjugation · metal · steel · cold · rust · stocks · stomp · safety shoes · control · harshness · dominance
- torture devicesrack, thumbscrew, thumbscrews, pillory, stocks