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

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 Joseph Kossuth Dixon

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 Joseph Kossuth Dixon

He derived his name, “many coups,” from the fact that he was able to add eagle feather after eagle feather to his coup stick, counting coups in victory.

From The Vanishing Race by Joseph Kossuth Dixon

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

From The Vanishing Race by Joseph Kossuth Dixon