MACE

n. 1 a staff of office, esp. the symbol of the Speaker's authority in the House of Commons. 2 hist. a heavy club usu. having a metal head and spikes. 3 a stick used in the game of bagatelle. 4 = mace-bearer. ømace-bearer an official who carries a mace on ceremonial occasions. [ME f. OF mace, masse f. Rmc mattea (unrecorded) club]