coup stick

American  

[koo] / ku /

noun

1. a stick with which some North American Indian warriors sought to touch their enemies in battle as a sign of courage.

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Etymology

Origin of coup stick

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

Chief Plenty Coups, the leader of Crow Nation who was invited to attend the ceremony, laid a war bonnet and a rod known as a coup stick across the coffin.

From New York Times • Nov. 5, 2021

It is a coup stick with manifold emphasis.

From The Vanishing Race by Dixon, Joseph Kossuth

Two Moons is now nearly blind; he carries his coup stick, covered with a wolfskin, both as a guide for his footsteps and a badge of honour.

From The Vanishing Race by Dixon, Joseph Kossuth

Their eagle feathers fluttered from war-bonnet and coup stick, encarnadined by the sun's red rays.

From The Vanishing Race by Dixon, Joseph Kossuth

When the council had assembled Chief Plenty Coups laid his coup stick and pipe sack on the ground, and in the sign language gave welcome to the chiefs from many lands.

From The Vanishing Race by Dixon, Joseph Kossuth