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

As we were leaving the court, a tipstaff came up to Joe Punchard, and formally arrested him as a runaway 'prentice; at the instance, I doubt not, of Vetch himself.

From Humphrey Bold A Story of the Times of Benbow by Strang, Herbert

"And his beadle, your lordship," added the host, and the under-strapper inside the greatcoat saluted the Colonel with a flourish of his tipstaff.

From The Yeoman Adventurer by Gough, George W.

A tipstaff was stationed at his dressing-room door and at each wing of the stage, to watch the actor, who, though out of the Bench, was in custody.

From Curiosities of Impecuniosity by Somerville, H. G.

A tipstaff was trying to detain Ralph at the door; he had not recognized him.

From Burnham Breaker by Greene, Homer