Fustigatory

/ˈfʌs.tɪ.ɡə.tɔː.ri/ adjective

Definition

Relating to harsh criticism or beating; of the nature of scolding or physical punishment.

Etymology

From Latin fustigatorius, derived from fustigator, with the adjective suffix -ory indicating a quality or tendency toward something.

Kelly Says

This delightfully obscure adjective survives in the English language as a kind of verbal museum piece—learned people still use it in academic writing to describe harshly critical works or people with brutal teaching methods.

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