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cat-o'-nine-tails

Noun CEFR C2

Definitions

  1. A scourge (multi-tail whip) having nine, often knotted, whipcords, formerly used for flogging as naval punishment.
  2. A similarly constructed leather nine-tail whip, as used in British penal colonies and certain armies.

Equivalents

2 more languages
Češtinadůtka
Polskikańczug

Examples

“But I do tell⟳ you one thing, if you ſhould give⟳ ſuch Language at Sea, you'd have⟳ a Cat o' Nine-tails laid croſs your Shoulders.”

CEFR level

C2
Mastery
This word is part of the CEFR C2 vocabulary — mastery level.
See all C2 English words →

See also

cat-salt cat-scratch disease cat-scratch fever cat-stick cat-tail sedge cat-trap

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