kurbash

Or kour·bash

[koor-bash]

noun

1. a whip with leather thongs, formerly used in Turkey, Egypt, etc.

verb (used with object)

1. to whip with a kurbash.

Word History and Origins

Origin of kurbash¹

1805–15; < Arabic kurbāj ≪ Turkish kιrbaç whip

Example Sentences

He has a French cook, but he retains the kurbash; he puts up telephones, but he does not give up the bowstring.

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Some English overseers have already discovered that this characteristic may be utilised far more effectively than the cruel kurbash.

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Numbers of the slaves had already perished from this fell disease; for as fast as they fell from the ranks and could not rise again, despite repeated applications of the staff of a spear, or a rod, or a kurbash, they were left to die the miserable death of deserted sick where they fell, and not one thought was ever directed to them again.

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When things had thus been prepared for the continuance of the march Tifum proceeded to the dying Isa, and seeing it was hopeless to expect further work from him, as the look of death was already on his face, the savage fiend bestowed a kick on the body, and swishing his kurbash warningly, gave the hint to Selim, who was now the file-leader, to proceed.

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He was at once knocked down and flogged with a kurbash; but the first stroke, which drew blood, made him cry for mercy; he disclosed the hiding-place, and, when Ahmed Sharfi had secured the money, he was released.

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