cat. It was used in the British Navy to maintain discipline on board sailing ships.' name='description'> cat o' nine tails - definition and meaning
cat o' nine tails love

cat o' nine tails

Definitions

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun a whip used as an instrument of punishment consisting of nine pieces of knotted line or cord fastened to a handle; -- formerly used to flog offenders on the bare back; -- called also the cat. It was used in the British Navy to maintain discipline on board sailing ships.

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word cat o' nine tails.

Examples

    Sorry, no example sentences found.

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.