quarterstaff
[ kwawr-ter-staf, -stahf ]
/ ˈkwɔr tərˌstæf, -ˌstɑf /
Save This Word!
noun, plural quar·ter·staves [kwawr-ter-steyvz], /ˈkwɔr tərˌsteɪvz/, quar·ter·staffs.
a former English weapon consisting of a stout pole 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 meters) long, tipped with iron.
exercise or fighting with this weapon.
QUIZZES
THINK YOU’VE GOT A HANDLE ON THIS US STATE NICKNAME QUIZ?
Did you ever collect all those state quarters? Put them to good use on this quiz about curious state monikers and the facts around them.
Question 1 of 8
Mississippi’s nickname comes from the magnificent trees that grow there. What is it?
Words nearby quarterstaff
quarter round, quarters, quartersaw, quarter section, quarter sessions, quarterstaff, quarter tone, quarter-wave plate, quartet, quartic, quartile
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for quarterstaff
British Dictionary definitions for quarterstaff
quarterstaff
/ (ˈkwɔːtəˌstɑːf) /
noun plural -staves (-ˌsteɪvz, -ˌstɑːvz)
a stout iron-tipped wooden staff about 6ft long, formerly used in England as a weapon
the use of such a staff in fighting, sport, or exercise
Word Origin for quarterstaff
C16: of uncertain origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012