castigamatti

Italian

Etymology

Verb-object compound, composed of castiga (“to punish”) +‎ matti (“madmen”).

Noun

castigamatti m (invariable)

1. (historical) stick used to bring order to asylums
2. (humorous) cudgel

   Synonym: bastone

3. (humorous, by extension) punishment

Noun

castigamatti m or f by sense (invariable)

1. (humorous) punisher (person who punishes or scares into compliance)