Ankuses

/ˈæŋkəsɪz/ noun

Definition

Plural form of ankus; multiple sticks with pointed hooks used by elephant handlers and mahouts in South Asia.

Etymology

Standard English pluralization of ankus, formed by adding the "-es" suffix to the singular noun referring to these elephant-control devices.

Kelly Says

Finding different ankuses in museum collections reveals a whole history of elephant management—you can literally trace changes in tool design and craftsmanship across centuries of Indian elephant culture.

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