| Noun | 1. | instrument of punishment - an instrument designed and used to punish a condemned person cangue - an instrument of punishment formerly used in China for petty criminals; consists of a heavy wooden collar enclosing the neck and arms cucking stool, ducking stool - an instrument of punishment consisting of a chair in which offenders were ducked in water instrument - a device that requires skill for proper use instrument of torture - an instrument of punishment designed and used to inflict torture on the condemned person paddle - an instrument of punishment consisting of a flat board pillory - a wooden instrument of punishment on a post with holes for the wrists and neck; offenders were locked in and so exposed to public scorn stocks - a former instrument of punishment consisting of a heavy timber frame with holes in which the feet (and sometimes the hands) of an offender could be locked switch - a flexible implement used as an instrument of punishment |