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

See Examples For:

coup stick

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

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

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

In the last Great Indian Council and on the journey home the attention of the writer was called to the prominence given to the coup stick.

From The Vanishing Race by Dixon, Joseph Kossuth

The old war-bonnets and war-shirts were brought out; the coup stick with its trembling eagle feathers, the ancient bows and arrows.

From The Vanishing Race by Dixon, Joseph Kossuth