cat-o'-nine-tailsとは 意味・読み方・使い方

別の表記

• cat-o'-nine (まれに short form)

語源

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

発音

名詞

cat-o'-nine-tails (複数形 cats-o'-nine-tails)

1. (nautical) A scourge (multi-tail whip) having nine, often knotted, whipcords, formerly used for flogging as naval punishment.
   • 1695, [William] Congreve, Love for Love: A Comedy. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], OCLC 1227592604, Act III, scene vii, page 44:

     But I do tell you one thing, 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.

上位語

• scourge

名詞

cat-o’-nine-tails (複数形 cats-o'-nine-tails)

1. (nautical) A whip having nine, often knotted, whipcords, formerly used for flogging as naval punishment. [from late 17th c.]
2. A similarly constructed leather nine-tail whip, as used in British penal colonies and certain armies