Cat o' nine tails \Cat" o' nine" tails`\, cat-o'-nine-tails
\cat"-o'-nine"-tails`\n.
   1. a whip used as an instrument of punishment consisting of
      nine pieces of knotted line or cord fastened to a handle;
      -- formerly used to flog offenders on the bare back; --
      called also the cat. It was used in the British Navy to
      maintain discipline on board sailing ships.

   Syn: cat.
        [WordNet 1.5 +PJC] Catopter

	

	cat-o'-nine-tails
    n 1: a whip with nine knotted cords; "British sailors feared the
         cat" [syn: cat-o'-nine-tails, cat]