Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

hookswinging

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 0.00 in modern English

Syllables: hook-swing-ing
IPA

24

Scrabble Score

12

Letters

3

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A ritualistic form of torture in which a volunteer was hung from hooks attached to the flesh on the back.

Uncountable

Example Sentences

"In late October 1891, the Madras Mail¹ brought dramatic attention to the fact that “the barbarous and cruel custom of hookswinging to propitiate the Goddess of Rain, which has been obsolete for some time, has been revived at Sholavandan near Madura.”"

Etymology

From hook + swinging.

Usage

Uncountable

Questions

What does hookswinging mean?: A ritualistic form of torture in which a volunteer was hung from hooks attached to the flesh on the back.
Where does hookswinging come from?: From hook + swinging.

How to pronounce hookswinging

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “hookswinging”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
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Repeat and practice — Say “hookswinging” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.