I. strəˈpā(ˌ)dō, -pä(ˌ)- noun
( -s )
Etymology: modification of Italian strappata sharp pull, strappado, from strappare to pull sharply, probably of Germanic origin; akin to German dialect strapfen to stretch tight, Middle Dutch strof tense, sharp
1. : a former punishment or torture consisting of hoisting the subject by a rope sometimes fastened to his wrists behind his back and letting him fall to the length of the rope ; also : a machine or device used in the infliction of this torture
2. archaic : a beating with or as if with a strap
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
obsolete : to punish or torture by or as if by the strappado