tipstaff
[tip-staf, -stahf]
- an attendant or crier in a court of law.
- a staff tipped with metal, formerly carried as a badge of office, as by a constable.
- any official who carried such a staff.
Origin of tipstaff
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for tipstaff
Historical Examples
His arm was grasped roughly by a tipstaff, who hurried to his side.
Pickett's GapHomer Greene
"The Judge wants you back at the Court, Mr. Blake," said the tipstaff.
An Outback MarriageAndrew Barton Paterson
The d'Herouvilles are descended from a tipstaff in the time of Robert of Normandy.
Modeste MignonHonore de Balzac
At a door a tipstaff laid his hand roughly on the arm of Mr. Thorndike.
Once Upon A TimeRichard Harding Davis
"I think you will be able to get anything out of him, when you get him there," said the tipstaff.
A Jacobite ExileG. A. Henty
tipstaff
- a court official having miscellaneous duties, mostly concerned with the maintenance of order in court
- a metal-tipped staff formerly used as a symbol of office
Word Origin
C16 tipped staff; see tip 1, staff 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for tipstaff
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper