noun
Archaic term for a thin, flexible rod or whip used for punishment or beating. Not used in modern everyday language; appears in historical or literary contexts.
昔の刑罰では、罪人をしもとで打つことがあった。
In old punishments, criminals were sometimes beaten with a switch.
古文書に「しもと」という言葉が出てくる。
The word 'shimoto' appears in ancient documents.
Modern common word for 'whip'; しもと is an archaic synonym.
The exact derivation is uncertain; it is an old native Japanese word for a thin stick or whip.