strappado

American  

[struh-pey-doh, -pah-] / strəˈpeɪ doʊ, -ˈpɑ- /

noun

plural

strappadoes

1. an old form of punishment or torture in which the victim, with arms bound behind, was raised from the ground by a rope fastened to the wrists, abruptly released, then arrested with a painful jerk just before reaching the ground.

2. the instrument used for this purpose.

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strappado British  

/ strəˈpeɪdəʊ, -ˈpɑː- /

noun

1. a system of torture in which a victim was hoisted by a rope tied to his wrists and then allowed to drop until his fall was suddenly checked by the rope

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Etymology

Origin of strappado

1550–60; alteration of Middle French strapade or its source, Italian strappata a sharp pull or tug, equivalent to strapp- (stem of strappare to snatch (< Gothic strappan to stretch) + -ata -ade ¹

Example Sentences

But no sooner was he delivered from the strappado, than he retracted all that he had before confessed.

From Lives of the Necromancers by Godwin, William

He dances on a rope of sand, does the somersault, strappado, and half-strappado with words, plays at all manner of games with clinches, carwickets, and quibbles, and talks under-leg.

From Character Writings of the 17th Century by Various

Zounds, an I were at the strappado or     all the racks in the world, I would not tell you on compulsion.

From The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by Shakespeare, William

Nay, rather the strappado for me, at any time, than abandonment to foolishness so crass as this would be.

From The Record of Nicholas Freydon An Autobiography by Dawson, A. J. (Alec John)

In this consideration neither citizen nor stranger, gentleman, knight, marques, or any may weare anie weapon endamageable vppon paine of the strappado.

From The Vnfortunate Traveller, or The Life Of Jack Wilton With An Essay On The Life And Writings Of Thomas Nash By Edmund Gosse by Gosse, Edmund