scavenger's daughter

noun

scav·en·ger's daughter

ˈskavə̇njə(r)z-

: an instrument of torture that so compressed the body as to force blood to flow from the nostrils and ears and sometimes from the hands and feet

Word History

Etymology

scavenger's genitive of scavenger entry 1, by wordplay from Leonard Skevington or Skeffington, 16th century lieutenant of the Tower of London, inventor of the instrument

Cite this Entry

Style

“Scavenger's daughter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scavenger%27s%20daughter. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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