n.
Pronunciation: ' staf
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural staffs \ ' stafs, ' stavz \ or staves \ ' stavz, ' st ā vz \
Etymology: Middle English staf, from Old English stæf; akin to Old High German stab staff, Sanskrit stabhn ā ti he supports
Date: before 12th century
1 a : a long stick carried in the hand for support in walking b : a supporting rod: as (1) archaic : SHAFT 1A(1) (2) : a crosspiece in a ladder or chair : RUNG (3) : FLAGSTAFF (4) : a pivoted arbor c : CLUB , CUDGEL
2 a : CROSIER b : a rod carried as a symbol of office or authority
3 : the horizontal lines with their spaces on which music is written ― called also stave
4 : any of various graduated sticks or rules used for measuring : ROD
5 plural staffs a : the officers chiefly responsible for the internal operations of an institution or business b : a group of officers appointed to assist a civil executive or commanding officer c : military or naval officers not eligible for operational command d : the personnel who assist a director in carrying out an assigned task e plural staff : a member of a staff <employs three full-time staff >
– staff adjective