Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

tawse

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction
\ ˈtȯz How to pronounce tawse (audio) \
variants: or less commonly taws

Definition of tawse

British
: a leather strap slit into strips at the end and used especially for disciplining children

First Known Use of tawse

circa 1585, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for tawse

probably from plural of obsolete taw tawed leather

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about tawse

Dictionary Entries near tawse

tawny port

tawny thrush

tawpie

tawse

Taw-Sug

tawt

tax

Statistics for tawse

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for tawse

The first known use of tawse was circa 1585

See more words from the same year

More from Merriam-Webster on tawse

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with tawse

Comments on tawse

What made you want to look up tawse? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

supersede

Listen to the pronounciation of supersede

to take the place or position of

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words for Summer: A Quiz

  • a closeup of a sunflower
  • Which of the following words means “of or relating to summer”?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games