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

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 Casserly, Gordon

Ah, Sahib," said Ahmed, resting his ankus or goad on the skull of his mount, "there is said to be another prisoner in the palace prison.

From The Adventures of Kathlyn by MacGrath, Harold

I seated myself on Chota Begum's neck, put my feet in the string stirrups, and took the big ankus in my hand.

From Here, There and Everywhere by Hamilton, Frederick Spencer, Lord

Then I shall sit on thy neck, O Kala Nag, with a silver ankus, and men will run before us with golden sticks, crying, `Room for the King's elephant!'

From The Jungle Book by Kipling, Rudyard

On he came, amid a rising roar of approval, Speed in gorgeous robes perched on high, 295 ankus raised.

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