vine staff en · NOUN
Etymology
Calque of Latin vītis (“vine; vine staff”).
Meanings
- (historical) A cane originally made of twisted grapevine trimmings and used by Roman centurions to beat the soldiers under their command; the various mushroom-headed batons later borne by them as a mark of office.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| vine-staff | alternative | lexicographic | |
| vine staves | Number=Plur | lexicographic | |
| vine staffs | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Synonyms
Translations (3)
la vitis (Translations) · hu vezérbot (Translations) · hu szőlőbot (Translations)