Staff

1. A pole upon which a flag is supported and displayed.
2. A series of verses so disposed that, when it is concluded, the same order begins again; a stanza; a stave.
3. An establishment of officers in various departments attached to an army, to a section of an army, or to the commander of an army. The general's staff consists of those officers about his person who are employed in carrying his commands into execution. See Etat Major.
4. Hence: A body of assistants serving to carry into effect the plans of a superintendant or manager; as, the staff of a newspaper.
5. A pole, stick, or wand borne as an ensign of authority; a badge of office; as, a constable's staff.
6. A stick carried in the hand for support or defense by a person walking; hence, a support; that which props or upholds.
7. The five lines and the spaces on which music is written; -- formerly called stave.
8. The grooved director for the gorget, or knife, used in cutting for stone in the bladder.
9. The round of a ladder.
10. An arbor, as of a wheel or a pinion of a watch.
11. A long piece of wood; a stick; the long handle of an instrument or weapon; a pole or srick, used for many purposes; as, a surveyor's staff; the staff of a spear or pike.