Meaning of count coup | Babel Free

Definitions

To win prestige in battle by performing an act of bravery in the face of the enemy (such as touching him and escaping unharmed), a ritual of the Plains Indians of North America.

US, historical, intransitive

Examples

“dǐ ki, v. t., to strike⟳, to whip, to "count⟳ coup."”

“Sitting Bull, on horseback, with his brother behind him, counts "coup" on the soldier, and adds a new feather to his war bonnet and variety to the color of his legging fringes.”

“No Sioux may wear⟳ an eagle's tail-feather unless he has counted a coup, or stroke, upon an enemy, dead or alive.”

“A small band of Indians had ridden onto this irresistible opportunity and had counted coup with the whites' own⟳ unguarded guns.”

“Only a damn fool counts coup on a kill⟳ he ain't sure of. That hombre could have⟳ us under his gun this very minute.”

“I told him what I had done, how I had counted coup in a Pottawattomie, and he shook hands and said that he too had counted coup and that he was going to wear⟳ a head ornament.”

“To count⟳ coup a warrior had to strike⟳ an armed and fighting enemy with his coup-stick, quirt, or bow before otherwise harming him, or take⟳ his weapons while he was yet alive, or strike⟳ the first enemy falling in battle, no matter⟳ who killed him, […] [I]f a warrior was wounded in counting coup, the feather he wore to mark⟳ the event must be painted red to show⟳ that he bled.”

“To a Plains Indian warrior "to count⟳ coup" meant, literally, "to touch⟳ the enemy." To count⟳ coup, a warrior might kill⟳ an enemy, injure⟳ him, struggle⟳ with him, or merely touch⟳ him.”

“In this sham battle, Crow men pretend⟳ to count⟳ coup on their old enemies, the Piegan.”

“The belief that a warrior could obtain⟳ some of the soul of his enemy, as well as some of his strength, courage, and energy, motivated warriors to count⟳ coup whenever the opportunity arose.”

CEFR level