ankus

noun

an·​kus

ˈaŋkəs,

ˈəŋkəsh

variants or less commonly ankusha

ˈəŋkəshə

plural ankus also ankusha or ankuses also ankushas

: an elephant goad used in India having a sharp spike and hook and resembling a short-handled boat hook

Word History

Etymology

Hindi aṅkus, from Sanskrit aṅkuśa; akin to Sanskrit aṅka bend, hook

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined above

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