STAFF

n. & v. --n. 1 a a stick or pole for use in walking or climbing or as a weapon. b a stick or pole as a sign of office or authority. c a person or thing that supports or sustains. d a flagstaff. e Surveying a rod for measuring distances, heights, etc. f a token given to an engine-driver on a single-track railway as authority to proceed over a given section of line. g a spindle in a watch. 2 a a body of persons employed in a business etc. (editorial staff of a newspaper). b those in authority within an organization, esp. the teachers in a school. c Mil. etc. a body of officers assisting an officer in high command and concerned with an army, regiment, fleet, or air force as a whole (general staff). d (usu. Staff) Mil. = staff sergeant. 3 (pl. staffs or staves) Mus. a set of usu. five parallel lines on any one or between any adjacent two of which a note is placed to indicate its pitch. --v.tr. provide (an institution etc.) with staff. østaff college Brit. Mil. etc. a college at which officers are trained for staff duties. staff notation Mus. notation by means of a staff, esp. as distinct from tonic sol-fa. staff nurse Brit. a nurse ranking just below a sister. staff officer Mil. an officer serving on the staff of an army etc. staff sergeant 1 Brit. the senior sergeant of a non-infantry company. 2 US a non-commissioned officer ranking just above sergeant. øøstaffed adj. (also in comb.). [OE stóf f. Gmc]