knobkerrie

[ nob-ker-ee ]

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.

knobkerrie

/ ˈnɒbˌkɛrɪ; ˈnɒbˌstɪk /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of knobkerrie¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of knobkerrie¹

C19: from Afrikaans knopkierie, from knop knob, from Middle Dutch cnoppe + kierie stick, from Khoikhoi kīrri

Example Sentences

Confronting him was a big Zulu, equally muscular, and armed with a formidable knobkerrie and a small shield.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

In the right hand he held his only weapon, a kind of short but deadly knobkerrie, while his left hand rested upon his naked knee.

From Project Gutenberg

They had been armed with muskets, and each carried a heavy knobkerrie.

From Project Gutenberg