What "whipper" means in rock climbing

Whipper is a term used in rock climbing to describe a fall that takes place when the climber is some distance above the last piece of protection. This can be a nerve-wracking experience, but typically involves the climber falling and being caught by the rope. Depending on the height of the fall, the distance from the last piece of protection, and other factors, whipper can be a relatively mild or very scary experience for the climber.