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

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

From The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 12 (of 12) by Burke, Edmund

"Are you, then, a tipstaff, or a bailiff, or a turnkey?" demanded the gipsy, "that you should pursue me, as if the warrant were placed in your hands for execution!"

From The Gipsy (Vols I & II) A Tale by James, G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford)

They had even proceeded so far as to furnish a tipstaff with the order to clear the rooms.

From Biographies of Distinguished Scientific Men by Grant, Robert

Queer country, my men, this," he said, "where a meddlesome tipstaff will not let a true-blooded Englishman pay toll to his Majesty's excise.

From The Knight of the Golden Melice A Historical Romance by Adams, John Turvill