lathi

or la·thee

[ lah-tee ]

noun

, Indian English.

1. a heavy pole or stick, especially one used as a club by police.

lathi

/ ˈlɑːtɪ /

noun

1. a long heavy wooden stick used as a weapon in India, esp by the police

Word History and Origins

Origin of lathi¹

First recorded in 1840–50, lathi is from the Hindi word lāthī

Word History and Origins

Origin of lathi¹

Hindi

Example Sentences

At last I pluck up courage to enquire of the guards—it needs courage, for they are in uniform, and have lathis strapped to their wrists.

From Literature

Police armed with wooden lathi sticks lashed ruthlessly out at some of the workers, who moved over the border in a giant human crush.

From The Guardian

“The police beat us a lot, they did a lathi charge inside the library,” said law student Mohammad Anas, using the Hindi word for a baton.

From Reuters

At the river, police with lathi sticks herded masses across pontoon bridges.

From Forbes

After barricading herself in a storeroom, she was rescued by police wielding bamboo lathis, or sticks.

From The Guardian