ferule Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a switch (a stick or cane or flat paddle) used to punish children

WordNet

Fer"ule noun
Etymology
L. ferula: cf. F. férule. See Ferula.
Definitions
  1. A flat piece of wood, used for striking, children, esp. on the hand, in punishment.
Fer"ule transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Feruled ; present participle & verbal noun Feruling
Definitions
  1. To punish with a ferule.

Webster 1913