It's dropped for corporal punishment (6)

I believe the answer is:

stripe

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'punishment' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't see how they can define each other.

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for stripe that I've seen before include "Military mark of rank, chevron" , "Band of colour - 3 of rank" , "Streak" , "Military rank indicator" , "Piece of braid indicating military rank" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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