Strappado

[strә'peidәu]

Definition

(noun.) a form of torture in which the hands are tied behind a person's back and they are lifted off the ground by a rope tied to their wrists, then allowed to drop until their fall is checked with a jerk by the rope.

Checked by Ellen--From WordNet

Definition

(n.) A military punishment formerly practiced, which consisted in drawing an offender to the top of a beam and letting him fall to the length of the rope, by which means a limb was often dislocated.

(v. t.) To punish or torture by the strappado.

Editor: Ozzie

Definition

n. (Shak.) a punishment which consisted in pulling the victim to the top of a beam and letting him fall so as to break his bones.—v.t. (Milt.) to torture or punish by the strappado.

Edited by Claudette