ankhus

• ankus

See ankus.

ankhus (plural ankhuses)

1. A stick with a hook on the end, used as a goad with war elephants.
   • 1993, Numismatica e antichità classiche - Volume 22, page 181:

     If his argument on this issue is found at fault, and the traditional division (Coinage with king with spear = Azes I, coinage with king holding ankhus [the object is not a whip as it is often assumed] = Azes II) is vindicated, all other conclusions by Senior must be revised.

   • 2007, John M. Kistler, War Elephants, →ISBN, page 23:

     The mahout used his feet and an ankhus to direct the elephant, as his voice might not be heard in the din of combat.

   • 2011, John Kistler, Animals in the Military: From Hannibal's Elephants to the Dolphins of the U.S. Navy, →ISBN, page 60:

     He used a hook in one hand, called an ankhus, to guide the elephant when voice and foot commands were not enough.

• Ashkun, Kansuh, Kushan