INSTRUMENT OF TORTURE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does instrument of torture mean? 

• INSTRUMENT OF TORTURE (noun)
  The noun INSTRUMENT OF TORTURE has 1 sense:

1. an instrument of punishment designed and used to inflict torture on the condemned person

  Familiarity information: INSTRUMENT OF TORTURE used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INSTRUMENT OF TORTURE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An instrument of punishment designed and used to inflict torture on the condemned person

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("instrument of torture" is a kind of...):

instrument of punishment (an instrument designed and used to punish a condemned person)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "instrument of torture"):

boot; iron boot; iron heel; the boot (an instrument of torture that is used to heat or crush the foot and leg)

iron maiden (instrument of torture consisting of a hollow iron frame shaped like the human body and lined with spikes to impale the victim)

rack; wheel (an instrument of torture that stretches or disjoints or mutilates victims)

thumbscrew (instrument of torture that crushes the thumb)

 Context examples 

In one perhaps there may be a dagger, in another a few drops of blood, and in a third the remains of some instrument of torture; but there being nothing in all this out of the common way, and your lamp being nearly exhausted, you will return towards your own apartment.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)