The term 'unit of punishment' can be summarized as a LASH, which is a four-letter word. A LASH is a form of physical punishment in which a person is struck with a whip or rod as a form of discipline or retribution. Historically, lashes have been used as a form of punishment for a variety of offenses, ranging from minor infractions to serious crimes. In some cultures, lashes are still used today as a form of punishment.