knobkerrie

American  

[nob-ker-ee] / ˈnɒbˌkɛr i /

noun

1. a short, heavy wooden club with a knob on one end, used especially by native peoples of South Africa for striking and throwing.

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knobkerrie British  

/ ˈnɒbˌkɛrɪ, ˈnɒbˌstɪk /

noun

1. a stick with a round knob at the end, used as a club or missile by South African tribesmen

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Etymology

Origin of knobkerrie

1835–45; < Afrikaans knopkierie, equivalent to knop knob + kierie, said to be < Khoikhoi kirri, keeri stick

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

knobkerrie

I was given a uniform, a new pair of boots, a helmet, a flashlight, a whistle, and a knobkerrie, which is a long wooden stick with a heavy ball of wood at one end.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Each was fully armed with large war-shield, knobkerrie, and several murderous looking assegais.

From The Luck of Gerard Ridgeley by Mitford, Bertram

Saxby laid his knobkerrie on the table and lit a cigarette, and Mrs. van Cannan, rising from her seat with an air of dignity outraged beyond all bounds, addressed Christine.

From Blue Aloes Stories of South Africa by Stockley, Cynthia

He was armed with nothing but a knobkerrie, with which he struck and parried with lightning-like rapidity.

From The Luck of Gerard Ridgeley by Mitford, Bertram

His left hand bore his assegais and knobkerrie beneath the great dappled ox-hide shield; and in his right a yellow walking-staff.

From The Story of Baden-Powell 'The Wolf That Never Sleeps' by Begbie, Harold