ankus

American  

[ang-kuhs, uhng-kuhsh] / ˈæŋ kəs, ˈʌŋ kəʃ /

noun

plural

ankus, ankuses

1. an elephant goad of India with a spike and a hook at one end.

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ankus British  

/ ˈæŋkəs /

noun

1. a stick used, esp in India, for goading elephants

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Etymology

Origin of ankus

1885–90; < Hindi; akin to angle ²

Example Sentences

If the paths that he had followed were sometimes tortuous, along many of them he had been guided by the ankus of that mahout in whose directions his faith had taught him to confide.

From Mount Music by Ross, Martin

But his keeper gently pricked him with a sharp hook, called an "ankus," and to get away from the prick, which was like the bite of a big fly, Umboo stepped out and walked away.

From Umboo, the Elephant by Garis, Howard Roger

When at last we got her near Dundora, the latter's mahout, viciously belabouring her thick skull with the ankus, told us that the cause of her fright was only a small pariah dog.

From Life in an Indian Outpost by Casserly, Gordon

As the holder of the ankus checks the furious elephant, Now with wisdom I'll restrain it, guide it wholly to my bent.

From The Buddha's Path of Virtue A Translation of the Dhammapada by Woodward, Frank Lee

Deesa handed Chihun the heavy ankus, the iron elephant- goad.

From Life's Handicap by Kipling, Rudyard