knopkierie, noun

/ˈnɔpkiri/
Forms:
Also kanop kerie, knop kieri.
Origin:
South African DutchShow more South African Dutch, knop rounded end or protrusion + kierie (see kierie).
kierie.
1832 Graham’s Town Jrnl 15 Nov. 179Tembo had no assegaais with him that morning, but a knop kieri, and a Knife.
1835 C.L. Stretch Journal. 18 Sept.The Boers have all..affirmed that..the Caffres would Kill every Englishman with ‘Kanop Keries’.
1940 Baumann & Bright Lost Republic 220When a Basuto beats his wife, he does it with a knopkierie.
1951 Cape Times 26 Nov. 8If it is his fundamental nature to grab for knopkierie or hatchet when angered, no teaching and no evangelization would be worth the trouble.
1961 Reader’s Digest Feb. 142On the river-bed lay the weapon — an African knopkierie.
1975 S. Afr. Panorama Jan. 14On the wall of the entrance hall was a gun rack which supported a ‘Voorlaaier’ (Muzzle loader) ‘Knop Kierie’ (Walking stick) [etc.].
1986 F. Karodia Daughters of Twilight 36At Mohamed’s General Store the African customers milled around the doorway or sat on the sidewalk, knopkierie in one hand.
Entry Navigation

Visualise Quotations

Quotation summary

Senses

18321986

Browse Related Words

By Category

Traditional Weapons
knolkool, nounn.Knopneus, nounn.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Unit for South African English