cat-o'-nine-tails

The old gentleman was clad in clerical black, with his cat-o-nine tails thrust into his girdle like a sword.

This law meant the use of the cat-o-nine tails as a regular punishment, but did not prohibit blows to enforce immediate obedience.

Pity we left the cat-o-nine-tails out on the boat, said the second man.

You have forgotten it; but in my beardless days, I offended Mr. Athelstone in a way that deserved a cat-o-nine-tails.

As soon as ever I uncovered myself, they laid on to my back with a rope made into a cat-o-nine-tails.