tawse

/ tɔːz /

noun

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

verb

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of tawse¹

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

Example Sentences

Some call for a return to the days of corporal punishment in schools, when unruly children were disciplined by "the tawse".

From BBC

In his hand he bore a long piece of a bridle rein, and this he fashioned into a tawse in sight of the whole school.

From Project Gutenberg

By my troth, sir," said the stranger, when the schoolmaster had concluded, "it's a pity that such a thing as tawse was not in use outside the school as well as inside.

From Project Gutenberg

I dinna think that e'er I had to raise the tawse to Sandy in my life.

From Project Gutenberg

The master recompensed my supposed contumacy with a sharp cut athwart the ears with his tawse; and again demanding the spelling of the word, I yet again spelt it as at first.

From Project Gutenberg