- 1
A long, straight, thick wooden rod or stick, especially one used to assist in walking.countableuncountable
- And thus ſhall ye eate it [the lamb]: with your loines girded, your ſhooes on your feet, and your ſtaffe in your hand: and ye ſhall eate it in haſte: it is the Lords Paſſeouer.
- The case was that of a murder. It had an element of mystery about it, however, which was puzzling the authorities. A turban and loincloth soaked in blood had been found; also a staff.
- 2
A series of horizontal lines on which musical notes are written; a stave.countableuncountable
- 3
People employed by a business or other organisation.countableuncountable
- The company employed 10 new members of staff this month.
- The company has taken on 1600 more highly-paid staff.
- 4
A mixture of plaster and fibre used as a temporary exterior wall covering.uncountable
- 5
A pole, stick, or wand borne as an ensign of authority; a badge of office.countableuncountable
- a constable's staff
- 6
A pole upon which a flag is supported and displayed.countableuncountable
- 7
The rung of a ladder.archaiccountableuncountable
- I ascend at one [ladder] of six hundred and thirty-nine staves.
- 8
A series of verses so disposed that, when it is concluded, the same order begins again; a stanza; a stave.countableuncountable
- Mr. Cowley had found out, that no kind of Staff is proper for an Heroick Poem; as being all too lirical:
- At this point the reciter of the story chants the following staves:— "Oh! the Day-horse. Oh! the Day-horse, The Day-horse has gone to the river Gang, The Day-horse has floated to the Sora Sea, Oh! the Day-horse."
- 9
An arbor, as of a wheel or a pinion of a watch.countableuncountable
- 10
The grooved director for the gorget, or knife, used in cutting for stone in the bladder.countableuncountable
syn. stick · stave