English

A cat-o'-nine-tails.

Noun

cat-o’-nine-tails ‎(plural cats-o'-nine-tails)

1. (nautical) A whip having nine, often knotted, whipcords, formerly used for flogging as naval punishment. [from late 17th c.]
   • 1695, William Congreve, Love for Love:

     If you should give such language at sea, you'd have a cat-o’-nine-tails laid cross your shoulders.

2. A similarly constructed leather nine-tail whip, as used in British penal colonies and certain armies.

Translations

See also

• cat-o'-nine (uncommon short form)