ankus

American  

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

noun

• ankus,
  plural
• ankuses
  plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• ankus
  plural
• ankuses
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of ankus

1885–90; < Hindi; akin to angle ²

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ankus

This surprised Dermont, for an elephant's skull is so thick that a blow even from the ankus or iron goad used to drive it, is scarcely felt.

From The Elephant God by Gordon Casserly

He had thrown off his driver and the ankus hung from him as he ran.

From Twenty-Two Goblins by Arthur William Ryder

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 Gordon Casserly

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 Howard Roger Garis

Speed swallowed the last crumb of his sandwich, wiped his hands on his handkerchief, and shoved them into his shabby pockets; the ankus dangled from his wrist.

From The Maids of Paradise by Robert W. (Robert William) Chambers

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