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hookswinging

Noun CEFR C1

Definitions

A ritualistic form of torture in which a volunteer was hung from hooks attached to the flesh on the back.

uncountable

Examples

“In late October 1891, the Madras Mail¹ brought dramatic attention to the fact that “the barbarous and cruel custom of hookswinging to propitiate the Goddess of Rain⟳, which has been obsolete for some time, has been revived at Sholavandan near Madura.””

CEFR level

C1
Advanced
This word is part of the CEFR C1 vocabulary — advanced level.
See all C1 English words →

See also

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