squassation

[ skwo-sey-shuhn ]

noun

1. a form of strappado in which the victim, with arms bound behind and feet heavily weighted, was jerked up and down at the end of a rope passed under the arms.

Word History and Origins

Origin of squassation¹

1725–35; < Italian squass ( are ) to shake severely (< Vulgar Latin *exquassāre; squash ¹ ) + -ation

Example Sentences

First, the being threatened to be tortured; secondly, being carried to the place of torture; thirdly, by stripping and binding; fourthly, the being hoisted on the rack; fifthly, squassation.

From Project Gutenberg

"Know," Limborch represents Clarus saying, "that there are five degrees of torture, videlicit, first, the torture of being threatened to be tortured; secondly, the torture of being conveyed to the place of torture; thirdly, the torture of being, and bound for torture; fourthly, the torture of being hoisted on the torturing rack; and fifthly, and lastly, the torture of squassation."

From Project Gutenberg