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strappado

 - 2 dictionary results

strap⋅pa⋅do

  [struh-pey-doh, -pah-]
Use strappado in a Sentence
–noun, plural -does.
1. 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.
2. the instrument used for this purpose.
Origin:
1550–60; alter. of MF strapade or its source, It strappata a sharp pull or tug, equiv. to strapp- (s. of strappare to snatch (< Goth strappan to stretch) + -ata -ade 1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To strappado
strap·pa·do   (strā-pā'dō, -pä'-)   
n.   pl. strap·pa·does

  1. A form of torture in which the victim is lifted off the ground by a rope attached to the wrists, which have been tied behind the back, and then is dropped partway to the ground with a jerk.

  2. The apparatus employed in this method of torture.


[Alteration of French strapade, from Old French, from Old Italian strappata, from strappare, to stretch tight, of Germanic origin.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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