tipstaff

[ tip-staf, -stahf ]

noun

, plural tip·staves [tip, -steyvz], tip·staffs.

1. an attendant or crier in a court of law.
2. a staff tipped with metal, formerly carried as a badge of office, as by a constable.
3. any official who carried such a staff.

tipstaff

/ ˈtɪpˌstɑːf /

noun

1. a court official having miscellaneous duties, mostly concerned with the maintenance of order in court
2. a metal-tipped staff formerly used as a symbol of office

Word History and Origins

Origin of tipstaff¹

1535–45; shortened form of earlier tipped staff; tip ¹, -ed ³, staff ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of tipstaff¹

C16 tipped staff; see tip ¹, staff ¹

Example Sentences

My direction to the tipstaff, who got admittance into the house, was to conduct him to a judge, according to the writ.

From Project Gutenberg

"Certainly he can't intend to give me more than one month," said Busby to the tipstaff.

From Project Gutenberg

Again, in his effort to follow, Mr. Thorndike was halted, but the first tipstaff came to his rescue.

From Project Gutenberg

Was he fit for nothing but to be employed as a messenger, as a common tipstaff?

From Project Gutenberg

Tipstaff, tip′staf, n. a staff tipped with metal, or an officer who carries it: a constable.

From Project Gutenberg