knout

Meaning

Noun

A leather scourge (multi-tail whip), in the severe version known as 'great knout' with metal weights on each tongue, notoriously used in imperial Russia.

Verb

To flog or beat with a knout.

Synonyms

whip

scourge

horsewhip

lash

cudgel

switch

truncheon

quirt

flagellum

Pronounced as (IPA)

/naʊt/

Etymology

Via French knout from Russian кнут (knut), from Old East Slavic кнутъ (knutŭ), from Old Norse knútr (“knot in a cord”). Doublet of knot, node, and nodus.