Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Popular Searches
Nearby Words

tipstaves

 - 3 dictionary results

tip⋅staff

  [tip-staf, -stahf]
Use tipstaves in a Sentence
–noun, plural -staves  [-steyvz] , -staffs.
1. an attendant or crier in a court of law.
2. a staff tipped with metal, formerly carried as a badge of office, as by a constable.
3. any official who carried such a staff.
Origin:
1535–45; shortened form of earlier tipped staff; see tip 1 , -ed 3 , staff 1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To tipstaves
tip·staff   (tĭp'stāf')   
n.   pl. tip·staves (-stāvz', -stāvz') or tip·staffs

  1. A staff with a metal tip, carried as a sign of office.

  2. An officer, such as a bailiff or constable, who carries a tipstaff.


[Alteration of tipped staff.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

tipstaff 
1541, "tipped staff" (truncheon with a tip or cap of metal) carried as an emblem of office, from tip (n.) + staff. As the name of an official who carries one (esp. a sheriff's officer, bailiff, constable, court crier, etc.) it is recorded from 1570.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see tipstaves on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way