cat-o'-nine-tails

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English

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Alternative forms

Etymology

From cat +‎ of +‎ nine +‎ tails; attested since 1695.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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

  1. (nautical) 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.

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Translations