whip, whippe

I. Ordinary Language : 1. An instrument used for driving horses and other animals, or for correction; commonly consisting of a handle, a thong of plaited leather, and a lash of plaited hemp or other fiber. Frequently, however, the handle and thong are in one piece, form. ing a tapering, flexible rod; riding-whips are made in this way. "To thy speed add wings, Lest with a whip of scorpions I pursue Thy ling'ring." Milton: P. L. , ii. 701. 2. A coachman, or driver of a carriage. "None of the London whips Sheridan: Rivals , i. 1. 3. A whipper-in. wear wigs now." "The first whip was unlucky in meeting with a nasty accident some two or three weeks back."- Field , Oct. 15, 1887. 4. An endle line, used in saving life from a wreck. "The whip pa es rapidly toward the wreck, and arriving there the sailors make fast the tail-block in accordance with the directions on the tally-board, and show a signal to the shore."-Scribner's Magazine, Jan. 1880, р. 330. 5. A flag used for signaling. 6. The arm of a windmill, on which a sail is extended; also the length of the arm reckoned from the shaft. II. Technically : 1. Nautical : A form of hoisting-tackle. A single whip is the most simple purchase in use. If the fall of the rope of a single whip be spliced round the block of another whip, it becomes whip on whip, or whip and runner. Thus two single blocks afford the same purchase as a tackle having a double and a single block, with much le friction. 2. Parliamentary : (1) A member who performs the important duties of looking after the interests of his party, and who secures the attendance of as many members as po ible at an important division. "The Liberal whips have i ued a somewhat similar invitation." - Pall Mall Gazette. (2) A call made upon the members of a party to attend in their places at a certain time, as when an important division is expected. "Urgent whips have been i ued by both sides."- Pall Mall Gazette. Used as an exclamation=immediately. "You are no sooner chose in, but, whip ! you are as proud as the devil."-Cent livre: Gotham Election. (1) To whip with six strings : [SIx, (2)]. (2) Whip and derry : Mining: An arrangement for raising the kibble, by means of a rope merely pa ing over a pulley and attached to a horse. (3) Whip and runner: [WHIP, 8., II. 1.] (4) Whip and spur : With the greatest haste. "Each staunch polemick IMG:content-0832.png:[blocks in formation] 2. Bot.: Chorda filum .