tawse

British  

/ tɔːz /

noun

1. a leather strap having one end cut into thongs, formerly used as an instrument of punishment by a schoolteacher

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verb

1. to punish (someone) with or as if with a tawse; whip

Etymology

Origin of tawse

C16: probably plural of obsolete taw strip of leather; see _taw ²

Example Sentences

Photograph: George Eksts We were never given the tawse or leather strap, but we were always getting the dap.

From The Guardian • Oct. 7, 2012

He's a scold confest, A pedagogue incarnate; horn-book, tawse.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 105, September 16th, 1893 by Various

The thong is the familiar "tawse" of schools north of the Border.

From Roman life in the days of Cicero by Church, Alfred John

Tommy had behaved splendidly to him, and called him his dear preceptor, and yet the Dominie still itched to be at him with the tawse as of old.

From Tommy and Grizel by Barrie, J. M. (James Matthew)

The bright face suddenly fell, one could never aspire to be a hero until one had braved the master's tawse.

From The Silver Maple by MacGregor, Mary Esther Miller