Pronunciation: [ˈɛstɹɐpˌe͡ɪd] (IPA) 
The word "estrapade" is spelled with an "e" followed by "strapade." The "e" is pronounced as a short "e" sound - /ɛ/ - which represents the vowel sound in "set" or "met." The following "st" is pronounced with a soft "s" sound - /s/ - and the "tr" combination is pronounced with the "t" sound followed by the "r" sound - /t͡ʃ/. The final "apade" is pronounced with a long "a" sound - /eɪ/ - and the soft "d" sound - /d/.
Estrapade is a term with its origin in 17th-century French, derived from the word "estrapade" meaning "horse plunging." It primarily refers to a form of punishment or torture that involves intense physical strain on a person, typically carried out by stretching or suspending the individual. This painful method of punishment was commonly used in medieval and early modern Europe.
In an estrapade, the victim would be tightly bound or restrained, often having their hands tied or chained above their head. They would then be subjected to violent jerks and pulls by weights or ropes attached to their limbs. This technique aimed to inflict extreme pain and torment by forcibly stretching the victim's muscles and joints, often leading to dislocation or even fracture.
Estrapades were generally employed as a means of extracting information or confessions from prisoners, punishing criminals, or disciplining individuals considered enemies of the state. Due to its cruelty and potential for permanent damage, estrapade sometimes resulted in severe injuries, disability, or even death.
Over the years, the term "estrapade" has also been used metaphorically to describe situations or experiences that involve physical or emotional strain, equivalent to enduring a figurative torture. It conveys the sense of enduring or overcoming great difficulty and hardship.
It is important to note that estrapade is no longer practiced in modern legal systems and is widely condemned as a form of torture.
The violent yerking of the hind legs which a horse makes when desirous of getting rid of his rider.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "estrapade" comes from the French term "estrappade", which in turn is derived from the Italian word "strappata". "Strappata" comes from the verb "strappare", meaning "to extract" or "to pull violently". The word "estrapade" originally entered the English language in the 17th century as a term used in equestrian jargon to describe a military maneuver where a horse would rear up and then immediately jump forward, often used as a means of breaking through enemy lines. Over time, the term's meaning evolved, and it came to represent a form of torture or punishment where the victim would be suspended by their arms, which were often tied behind their back, and then abruptly dropped and jerked back up again. The word "estrapade" is now primarily used to refer to a severe punishment or a violent horse movement.
