WHIPPING, punishment. The infliction of stripes.
The word whip describes two basic types of tools:
A long stick-like device, usually slightly flexible, with
a small bit of leather or cord, called a "popper",
on the end. Depending on length and flexibility, this type
is often called a riding whip, riding crop or "bat".
It is also sometimes called a "horsewhip" or "horse
whip".
The other type of whip is a long tapered flexible length
of single-strand or plaited (braided) material (usually leather)
with a stiff handle. Some whips of this type include the bullwhip
and the stockwhip. Each design has many variations and lengths
for different purposes, often with different names.
As well as these traditional whip types designed for use
on animals, there are whip designs that had historic uses
for inflicting pain on humans, such as the "cat o' nine
tails", knout and others. These devices are used as flogging
instruments, a means of control, corporal punishment or torture. |
