quarterstaff

American  

[kwawr-ter-staf, -stahf] / ˈkwɔr tərˌstæf, -ˌstɑf /

noun

quarterstaves, plural quarterstaffs plural

1. a former English weapon consisting of a stout pole 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 meters) long, tipped with iron.

2. exercise or fighting with this weapon.

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quarterstaff British  

/ ˈkwɔːtəˌstɑːf /

noun

1. a stout iron-tipped wooden staff about 6ft long, formerly used in England as a weapon

2. the use of such a staff in fighting, sport, or exercise

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• quarterstaffs
  plural
• quarterstaves
  plural

Etymology

Origin of quarterstaff

First recorded in 1540–50; quarter + staff ¹

Related Words

• business
• staff