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

After we had shot the wolf we would run up and put our coup stick on him and play that he was our enemy.

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

This colour scheme goes on through the entire Indian wardrobe to pipe sack, coup stick and moccasins.

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