From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) :
stripes
n 1: V-shaped sleeve badge indicating military rank and service;
"they earned their stripes in Kuwait" [syn: chevron,
stripe, stripes, grade insignia]
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary :
Stripes
as a punishment were not to exceed forty (Deut. 25:1-3), and
hence arose the custom of limiting them to thirty-nine (2 Cor.
11:24). Paul claimed the privilege of a Roman citizen in regard
to the infliction of stripes (Acts 16:37, 38; 22:25-29). Our
Lord was beaten with stripes (Matt. 27:26).