strappado

American  

[struh-pey-doh, -pah-] / strəˈpeɪ doʊ, -ˈpɑ- /

noun

plural

strappadoes

1. an old form of punishment or torture in which the victim, with arms bound behind, was raised from the ground by a rope fastened to the wrists, abruptly released, then arrested with a painful jerk just before reaching the ground.

2. the instrument used for this purpose.

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strappado British  

/ strəˈpeɪdəʊ, -ˈpɑː- /

noun

1. a system of torture in which a victim was hoisted by a rope tied to his wrists and then allowed to drop until his fall was suddenly checked by the rope

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Etymology

Origin of strappado

1550–60; alteration of Middle French strapade or its source, Italian strappata a sharp pull or tug, equivalent to strapp- (stem of strappare to snatch (< Gothic strappan to stretch) + -ata -ade ¹

Example Sentences

Horrific punishments such as the strappado – where a person was suspended by their wrists tied behind their back – were matters of public spectacle.

From The Guardian

Nay, rather the strappado for me, at any time, than abandonment to foolishness so crass as this would be.

From Project Gutenberg

Zounds, an I were at the strappado or     all the racks in the world, I would not tell you on compulsion.

From Project Gutenberg

But no sooner was he delivered from the strappado, than he retracted all that he had before confessed.

From Project Gutenberg

Little fear of that, young sir!" answered he, with a grim smile; "I have had too much of the rack already, and the strappado too, to care much what man can do unto me.

From Project Gutenberg