n.1 a thin stick used by a conductor to direct an orchestra, choir, etc.
2 Athletics a short stick or tube carried and passed on by the runners in a relay race.
3 a long stick carried and twirled by a drum major.
4 a staff of office or authority, esp. a Field Marshal's.
5 a policeman's truncheon.
6 Heraldry a narrow truncated bend.
7 Horol. a short bar replacing some figures on dials.
Phrases and idioms:
baton round a rubber or plastic bullet.
Etymology: F b{acirc}ton, baston ult. f. LL bastum stick