baton

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a thin stick used by a conductor to direct an orchestra or choir

   The conductor raised her baton, and the orchestra fell silent.

2. 2
   noun

   a short tube passed from one runner to another in a relay race

   He dropped the baton during the final exchange of the relay.

3. 3
   noun

   a short, heavy stick carried by a police officer or guard

   The officer returned the baton to its holder after the crowd dispersed.

Borrowed from French bâton ("stick, staff"). English retained the broad idea of a carried stick while developing specialized senses in music, relay racing, policing, and ceremonial office.

Topics

External links

• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary
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