strappado
an old form of punishment or torture in which the victim, with arms bound behind, was raised from the ground by a rope fastened to the wrists, abruptly released, then arrested with a painful jerk just before reaching the ground.
the instrument used for this purpose.
Origin of strappado
1Words Nearby strappado
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use strappado in a sentence
After a smart administration of the strappado, he proceeded to examine the contents of his pinafore, which was bundled round him.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun; | VariousI did hear that, as this raid of some privates interfered with the Dutch general's diet, one of the offenders got the strappado.
Hugh Wynne, Free Quaker | S. Weir MitchellI'd strappado you and then hang you within the next half-hour.
The Yeoman Adventurer | George W. GoughNay, rather the strappado for me, at any time, than abandonment to foolishness so crass as this would be.
The Record of Nicholas Freydon | A. J. (Alec John) DawsonIf I die, let my boy Robin have the strappado, three hours a day, to be duly paid him during life.
The Visions of Dom Francisco de Quevedo Villegas | Dom Francisco de Quevedo
British Dictionary definitions for strappado
/ (strəˈpeɪdəʊ, -ˈpɑː-) /
a system of torture in which a victim was hoisted by a rope tied to his wrists and then allowed to drop until his fall was suddenly checked by the rope
Origin of strappado
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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