falanga

noun fa·lan·ga \ fəˈläŋgə , -aŋ- \

Definition of falanga

plural -s

: a method of torture in which the soles of the feet are beaten

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Origin and Etymology of falanga

probably from New Greek phalanga, oblique form of phalangas bastinado, modification (probably influenced by New Greek phalangi roller put under a ship) of Turkish falaka whiffletree, staff and loop for holding the feet of a bastinado victim, bastinado, from Arabic falaqa