lathis

Meanings

1. 1nounpluralIndian

   Plural of lathi: long, heavy sticks, often made of bamboo and sometimes tipped with metal, carried by police or guards in South Asia.

   Grammar: Plural form: the police carried lathis; a single one is a lathi.

   Patterns

   • armed with lathis
   • lathis against someone

   The police carried lathis to move the crowd away from the gate.

   Several protesters were hurt when officers used lathis.

   Night watchmen in the village still carry lathis.

2. 2nounpluralIndian

   Plural of lathi used for the sticks as a traditional martial arts tool practiced in parts of India.

   Grammar: Plural form used for the practice weapons: students train with lathis.

   Patterns

   • train with lathis

   Students at the akhara train with lathis every morning.

   The festival included a demonstration of lathis and sword skills.

   He learned to spin lathis as a boy.

Word forms

Common combinations

armed with lathis

The guards were armed with lathis.

lathi charge

The police ordered a lathi charge to clear the road.

bamboo lathis

They cut bamboo lathis from the grove.

wield lathis

Officers wielded lathis as the crowd pushed forward.

carry lathis

The watchmen carry lathis at night.

Synonyms and how they differ

batons

Batons are shorter and used by police worldwide, while lathis are longer, usually bamboo, and tied to South Asia.

clubs

Clubs is a general word for heavy sticks and carries no regional meaning.

staffs

Staffs are long sticks for walking or ceremony, whereas lathis suggest policing or fighting.

Word family

lathi noun

the single stick

lathi charge noun

a police attack using sticks

lathi-wielding adjective

carrying such sticks

Commonly confused: lathis or lathes?

Practice

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