taws

[ tawz, tahz ]

noun

, Chiefly Scot.

, plural taws.

1. a whip or leather thong used to drive a spinning top.
2. a leather whip having its tip divided into smaller strips, used to punish schoolchildren.

Word History and Origins

Origin of taws¹

1505–15; plural of obsolete taw < Old Norse taug rope; cognate with Old English tēag tie

Example Sentences

Clearly his Dominie had not abused the taws.

From Project Gutenberg

They will use the taws on baby hands, that cannot make a ‘k’ or a ‘z’ at first sight.

From Project Gutenberg

Marbles are divided into "taws," or well-made strong marbles with which you shoot, and "clays," or the ordinary cheap colored marbles at which you aim and with which you pay your losses.

From Project Gutenberg

In the marble season he was a plutocrat in taws and agates.

From Project Gutenberg

Nor is it to be obviated, we fear, by any expression of extra solemnity thrown into the pedagogical face, or even by the taking of places or the taws.

From Project Gutenberg

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