Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Oddball Word of the Day

squassation (skwo-SAY-shun) n. a form of or device for torture or punishment in former times, in which the victim had his arms bound behind, his feet heavily weighted, and was jerked up and down on a rope passing under his arms.

(from the guide to MMMW, edited by Laurence Urdang)

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