quirt

quirt [kwurt] ExamplesWord Origin noun

1. a riding whip consisting of a short, stout stock and a lash of braided leather.

verb (used with object)

2. to strike with a quirt.

Origin of quirt 1835–45, Americanism; perhaps Spanish cuerda cord Examples from the Web for quirt Historical Examples of quirt

He headed him into the open, laid the quirt to him, and galloped toward the hills.

The Duke Of Chimney Butte

G. W. Ogden

Before he could reply, she rose in her stirrups and pointed ahead with her quirt.

Out of the Depths

Robert Ames Bennet

She stood in her saddle habit, with her quirt still in hand.

Whispering Smith

Frank H. Spearman

They passed close—so close I could have reached out an’ touched ’em with my quirt.

Prairie Flowers

James B. Hendryx

Wadley’s quirt burned the flank of the cow-pony and it leaped for the road.

Oh, You Tex!

William Macleod Raine

British Dictionary definitions for quirt quirt noun

1. a whip with a leather thong at one end

verb (tr)

2. to strike with a quirt

Word Origin for quirt C19: from Spanish cuerda cord Word Origin and History for quirt n.

“short-handled braided leather riding whip,” 1845, from Mexican Spanish cuarta “rope,” related to Spanish cuerda “rope,” from Latin corda (see cord (n.)).