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

—And, as he speaks, he flings his tawse over to the corner where his desk stands.

From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 11 by Wilson, John Mackay

"And they answered: 'Please, sir, give him the tawse'?"

From A Dominie in Doubt by Neill, Alexander Sutherland

There was no answer, and he fell to again; but Paul turned and caught his arm, and after an ineffectual struggle, the old man dropped the tawse and walked into the kitchen.

From Despair's Last Journey by Murray, David Christie

But before the end of the month, at the mere mention of Tommy's name, Mr. Cathro turned red in the face, and the fingers of his laying-on hand would clutch an imaginary pair of tawse.

From Sentimental Tommy The Story of His Boyhood by Barrie, J. M. (James Matthew)