kirpan

American  

[kir-pahn] / kɪrˈpɑn /

noun

1. a small dagger worn by orthodox Sikhs.

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Kirpan British  

/ kɪrˈpɑːn /

noun

1. the short sword traditionally carried by Sikhs as a symbol of their religious and cultural loyalty, symbolizing protection for the weak See also five Ks

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Etymology

Origin of kirpan

1900–05; < Punjabi and Hindi < Sanskrit kṛpāṇa sword

Example Sentences

A Sikh student at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte was handcuffed and detained by campus police Thursday over his open carrying of a kirpan, a small dagger seen as sacred in Sikhism.

From Washington Times

While carrying a knife or sword is illegal, the kirpan can be carried by Sikhs for religious reasons as it is one of five symbols, called Kakars, initiated or baptised Sikhs wear.

From BBC

The Sikh men who go into the chamber with their kirpan.

From Los Angeles Times

The government of Quebec, Canada’s second-most populous province, wishes to assure everyone that its newly proposed religious symbol ban doesn’t target hijabs, kippa, kirpans and the like.

From The Guardian

Mr. Mattson wore a traditional Sikh wedding sherwani in gold silk and a burgundy head scarf, and carried a kirpan, or sheathed sword, a Sikh tradition.

From New York Times