tipstaff

American  

[tip-staf, -stahf] / ˈtɪpˌstæf, -ˌstɑf /

noun

plural

tipstaves, tipstaffs

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.

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tipstaff British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of tipstaff

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

Example Sentences

Preceded by his tipstaff wearing a black frock coat and carrying a white staff topped with an elaborate gold crown, in came the judge.

From The Guardian • Mar. 19, 2017

“Then, sir,” said the tipstaff, “I must arrest you.”

From Curiosities of Impecuniosity by Somerville, H. G.

A tipstaff brought him a glass of water, and he finally recovered.

From Burnham Breaker by Greene, Homer

Godefroy beat a rattling fusillade on the drum, grabbed up his bobbing tipstaff, led the way; and down we filed to the canoes.

From Heralds of Empire Being the Story of One Ramsay Stanhope, Lieutenant to Pierre Radisson in the Northern Fur Trade by Laut, Agnes C. (Agnes Christina)

That is the signal when their privileges are invaded by tipstaff or bailiff; and at the blast of the horn they all swarm out to the rescue, as bees when their hive is disturbed.—Jump,

From The Fortunes of Nigel by Scott, Walter, Sir