strappado noun. [strǝ'pɑ:dǝʊ, stra-, -eɪdǝʊ] Pl. -os. M16.
[French (e)strapade from Italian strappata from strappare snatch: see -ADO.]
Hist.
1. A form of punishment or torture in which the victim was secured to a rope, usu. with the hands tied behind the back, made to fall from a height almost to the ground, then stopped with a jerk; an application of this; the instrument used. M16.

2. [By confusion with STRAP noun 6b.] A beating, a flogging. M17-M18.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲