Baton
[bə'tɑ:n] or [bə'tɑn]
Definition
(noun.) a thin tapered rod used by a conductor to lead an orchestra or choir.
(noun.) a hollow cylinder passed from runner to runner in a relay race.
(noun.) a hollow metal rod that is wielded or twirled by a drum major or drum majorette.
(noun.) a short staff carried by some officials to symbolize an office or an authority.
Inputed by Andre--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) A staff or truncheon, used for various purposes; as, the baton of a field marshal; the baton of a conductor in musical performances.
(n.) An ordinary with its ends cut off, borne sinister as a mark of bastardy, and containing one fourth in breadth of the bend sinister; -- called also bastard bar. See Bend sinister.
Typist: Nora
Definition
n. a staff or truncheon esp. of a policeman: a marshal's staff.—v.t. to strike with a baton.—n. Bat′on-sin′ister a well-known heraldic indication of illegitimacy improperly called Bar-sinister a diminutive of a bend-sinister not extending to the sides of the shield so as to resemble a marshal's baton laid diagonally over the family arms from left to right.
Checked by Lanny
Examples
- He had in one hand a lighted torch, or link, and in the other a baton of crab-tree, so thick and heavy, that it might well be termed a club. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- The possession of the Mississippi by us from Memphis to Baton Rouge was also a most important object. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- The expedition from Baton Rouge was without favorable results. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
Checked by Juliana