Colaphism
/ˈkɒl.ə.fɪz.əm/noun
A beating or punishment involving repeated blows, especially blows to the face or head.
Did you know?Colaphism appears in Christian and classical contexts connected with the Greek verb for striking or buffeting, including descriptions of the mocking and beating of Christ.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
κόλαφος (kolaphos)
“A blow, slap, or punch, especially a forceful strike.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
κολαφίζω (kolaphizō)
“To strike, buffet, or beat repeatedly.”
Koine Greek
Greek
κολαφισμός (kolaphismos)
“The act or punishment of buffeting or beating.”
Late Antiquity
Latin
colaphismus
“A beating or striking; a Latinized form derived from Greek.”
16th–17th Century
English
colaphism
“A beating or punishment by blows, chiefly in learned or theological writing.”
Modern English
English
colaphism
“An obscure term for beating, buffeting, or striking.”