Cat-o'-nine-tails

Pronunciation

Origin

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

Full definition of cat-o'-nine-tails

Noun

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.