cudgels
Short blunt weapons
Cudgels are short, thick sticks used as weapons—clubs for beating.
The word appears most often in the phrase take up the cudgels, meaning to defend someone or something vigorously: She took up the cudgels for workplace reform.
To cudgel is to beat with such a weapon, or figuratively to struggle hard: cudgel your brains.
Organization with membership
- batonSlender rod for leading
- truncheonShort thick stick
- maceBludgeon with flanged head
- shillelaghIrish wooden club-cane
nightstick · cosh · blackjack · sap · stick · quarterstaff · flail · beating
club
Organization with membership
shillelagh · nightstick · cosh · blackjack · sap · stick · quarterstaff · flail · beating · bashing
defense
Protection against harm
- championingVigorously supporting a cause
- argumentReasoned case or dispute
- causeWhat produces an effect
battle · fight · campaign · support · contention · dispute · struggle · crusade · stance · position
- old pastimesjousting, chess, backgammon, dice, bowls
cudgelsolive branches
Emblems of truce
shields · bandages · salves · balms · peace offerings