Napier's bones or Napier's rods plural noun

An invention of Napier's for multiplying and dividing mechanically by means of rods

rod /rod/

1. A long straight shoot
2. A slender stick
3. A slender bar of metal or other matter
4. Such a metal bar forming part of the framework under a railway carriage (see also ride the rods below)
5. A sceptre or similar emblem of authority
6. A stick or bunch of twigs as emblem or instrument of punishment
7. A stick or wand for magic or divination
8. A riding crop
9. A slender pole or structure carrying a fishing-line
10. An angler using this
11. A measuring stick
12. A pole or perch (51/2 yards, or 161/2 feet)
13. A square pole (2721/4 sq ft)
14. (of brickwork) 272 sq ft of standard thickness of 11/2 bricks or 306 cu ft
15. Race or tribe (Bible)
16. A rod-shaped body of the retina sensitive to light
17. A rod-shaped bacterium
18. A revolver, a pistol (US sl)
19. The penis (slang)

To push a rod through (a drain, etc) so as to clear it

roddˈing noun

rodˈless adjective

rodˈlike adjective

rodˈster noun (archaic)

An angler

rodˈfisher noun

rodˈfishing noun

rodˈman or rodsˈman noun

A person who holds, carries or uses a rod, esp an angler

rod puppet noun

A glove puppet held on one hand, its arms being manipulated by rods held in the other hand

a rod in pickle

Punishment in reserve

kiss the rod

To accept punishment with submission

make a rod for one's own back

To do something that will cause problems for oneself at a later date

Napier's rods see under Napierian

ride the rods (old US)

To travel illegally on the railway, supporting oneself on the rods of railway carriages