cat-o'-nine-tails

[kat-uh-nahyn-teylz]

noun

plural

cat-o'-nine-tails 

1. a whip, usually having nine knotted lines or cords fastened to a handle, used for flogging.

cat-o'-nine-tails

noun

1. Often shortened to: cat. a rope whip consisting of nine knotted thongs, used formerly to flog prisoners

Word History and Origins

Origin of cat-o'-nine-tails¹

First recorded in 1685–95; so called in allusion to a cat's scratches

Example Sentences

In those days, prison was designed for punishment and was stocked with its own supply of whipping implements such as cat-o'-nine-tails and birch rods.

From BBC

Enveloping himself in a cloak, with a cat-o'-nine-tails in his hand, he awaits developments.

From Project Gutenberg

When the captain was once more sure of his command, "Jack, a Swede, was taken from his confinement, lashed up, and whipped with a cat-o'-nine-tails, then sent to duty."

From Project Gutenberg

Then out came the cat-o'-nine-tails again, and he fell to flogging him as fast as he could.

From Project Gutenberg

The first mate lashed the line forward with a cat-o'-nine-tails, positioning them along the scuppers.

From Project Gutenberg

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