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).