See Also: Whiplash(health)
whiplash(dictionary)
whiplash(dictionary)
whiplash injuries(medicine)
whiplash injury(medicine)

whiplash (iou)



whiplash noun & verb. L16.
[from WHIP noun + LASH noun1.]
A. noun.
The flexible end of a whip; (chiefly fig.) a blow with a whip, the sound of this. L16.
attrib.: J. Wainwright I..put whiplash scorn into my voice.
Botany & Zoology. A whiplike organism or structure, as a vibraculum. Also spec., the seaweed Chorda filum (sea lace). M19.
Damage to the neck or spine caused by a severe jerk of the head, esp. as in a car accident. Chiefly in whiplash injury. M20.
b. verb.
verb trans. Propel, strike, etc., suddenly and forcefully, like the lash of a whip; jerk in a contrary direction, spec. cause a whiplash injury to; inflict sudden or severe harm on. M20.
M. Ignatieff He shifted gears, popped the clutch, and they were whiplashed forward. fig.: C. Dexter 'Thought?' Morse's..repetition..sounded like a whiplashed retaliation for such impertinence.
verb intrans. Move suddenly and forcefully, like the lash of a whip. M20.
Washington Post The cable..snapped. It..whiplashed around the deck and caught the Chief in the spine.