Whipping. See [Flogging].
White Eagle, Order of the. An order of knighthood in Poland, instituted by Vladislaus V. in 1325; revived by Frederick Augustus I. in 1705.
White Feather. A mark of cowardice. To show the white feather, to give indications of cowardice.
White Gunpowder. See [Gunpowder].
White Plains. A village of Westchester Co., N. Y., 25 miles north-northeast of New York. A noted battle of the Revolution was fought in the vicinity, October 28, 1776, between the Americans and the British, in which the former were worsted.
Whiteboys. A body of ruffians in Ireland, so called on account of their wearing linen frocks over their coats. They committed dreadful outrages in 1761, but were suppressed by a military force, and their ringleaders executed in 1762. They rose into insurrection again and were suppressed 1786-87. Whiteboys have appeared at various times since, committing the most frightful crimes. The insurrection act was passed on their account in 1822.
Whitworth Gun. See [Ordnance, Construction of].
Whiz. To make a humming or hissing sound, like an arrow or ball flying through the air.
Who Comes There? The night challenge of a sentinel on post.
Whoop. A shout; a loud noise which soldiers make in charging. It is a natural though a barbarous habit, and has been preserved in civilized armies from a prevailing custom among savages, particularly the wild Indians of America.