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 ran a long way, until finding that he had not been detected, he skirted a small wood, dug a hole in the soft moss, put in the "tawse," and covered them up.

From The Underworld The Story of Robert Sinclair, Miner by Welsh, James C.

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)

I'm no' a good laddie like Nestie, and I'm aye gettin' the tawse, but I'm awful fond of Bulldog.

From Young Barbarians by Maclaren, Ian

Then your tawse is complete, or will be so as soon as you have heated the ends for a short time in the fire to harden them.

From Harry Milvaine The Wanderings of a Wayward Boy by Stables, Gordon