■ noun
1》 a thin stick used by a conductor to direct an orchestra or choir.
↘a stick carried and twirled by a drum major.
2》 a short stick passed from runner to runner in a relay race.
3》 a police officer's truncheon.
4》 a staff of office or authority.
↘( ~s ) one of the suits in some tarot packs, corresponding to wands in others.
5》 Heraldry a narrow bend truncated at each end.
6》 a short bar replacing some figures on the dial of a clock or watch.
Phrases
pass (or take up ) the ~ hand over (or take up) a duty or responsibility.
Origin
C16: from Fr. bâton , earlier baston , from late L. bastum 'stick'.