cat-o'-nine-tails
noun
ˌka-tə-ˈnīn-ˌtālz 
plural cat-o'-nine-tails
: a whip made of usually nine knotted lines or cords fastened to a handle
Word History
Etymology
from the resemblance of its scars to the scratches of a cat
First Known Use
1665, in the meaning defined above
cat-o'-nine-tails
noun
as in strap
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- strap
- hickory
- birch
- crop
- knout
- rattan
- quirt
- rawhide
- bullwhip
- blacksnake
- billy club
- cowhide
- whip
- bastinade
- switch
- lash
- billy
- scourge
- staff
- flogger
- bat
- cane
- baton
- cudgel
- bludgeon
- flail
- nightstick
- club
- bastinado