I. ˈstaf noun
( plural staffs ˈstafs, ˈstavz ; or staves ˈstavz, ˈstāvz)
Etymology: Middle English staf, from Old English stæf; akin to Old High German stab staff, Sanskrit stabhnāti 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
II. transitive verb
Date: 1859
1. : to supply with a staff or with workers
2. : to serve as a staff member of
an organization staff ed by volunteers