instrument of punishment

Other forms: instruments of punishment

Definitions of instrument of punishment

1. noun

   an instrument designed and used to punish a condemned person
   types:

   cangue

   an instrument of punishment formerly used in China for petty criminals; consists of a heavy wooden collar enclosing the neck and arms

   cucking stool, ducking stool

   an instrument of punishment consisting of a chair in which offenders were ducked in water

   instrument of torture

   an instrument of punishment designed and used to inflict torture on the condemned person

   paddle

   an instrument of punishment consisting of a flat board

   pillory

   a wooden instrument of punishment on a post with holes for the wrists and neck; offenders were locked in and so exposed to public scorn

   stocks

   a former instrument of punishment consisting of a heavy timber frame with holes in which the feet (and sometimes the hands) of an offender could be locked

   switch

   a flexible implement used as an instrument of punishment

   birch, birch rod

   a switch consisting of a twig or a bundle of twigs from a birch tree; used to hit people as punishment

   boot, iron boot, iron heel, the boot

   an instrument of torture that is used to heat or crush the foot and leg

   cane

   a stiff switch used to hit students as punishment

   ferule

   a switch (a stick or cane or flat paddle) used to punish children

   iron maiden

   instrument of torture consisting of a hollow iron frame shaped like the human body and lined with spikes to impale the victim

   rack, wheel

   an instrument of torture that stretches or disjoints or mutilates victims

   ratan, rattan

   a switch made from the stems of the rattan palms

   thumbscrew

   instrument of torture that crushes the thumb

   type of:

   instrument

   a device that requires skill for proper use