birching Definition
- 1a form of corporal punishment where a person is beaten with a bundle of birch twigs or branches
- 2the act of beating someone with birch twigs as a punishment
Using birching: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "birching" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
Birching was a common punishment in schools during the 19th century.
Example
The practice of birching was abolished in many countries in the 20th century.
Example
The prisoner was sentenced to 10 strokes of the birch for his crime.
birching Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with birching
Example
The teacher kept a birch rod in his office for disciplining students.
birch switch
a single birch twig or branch used for birching
Example
The father used a birch switch to discipline his son for misbehaving.
birch-bark canoe
a type of canoe made from birch bark, commonly used by indigenous peoples of North America
Example
The guide led us down the river in a birch-bark canoe.
Origins of birching
from the Old English 'byrcan', meaning 'to beat'
Summary: birching in Brief
Birching [ˈbɜːtʃɪŋ] is a form of corporal punishment that involves beating someone with a bundle of birch twigs or branches. It was commonly used in schools and prisons during the 19th century, but has since been abolished in many countries. The punishment is also known as whipping or flogging, and can be carried out with a birch rod or switch. A related term is 'birch-bark canoe,' which refers to a type of canoe made from birch bark.
