staff
Cross references:
1. stave
1. staff \'staf\ \'stavz, 'sta-vz\ n or staffs or staves [ME staf, fr. OE
stf; akin to OHG stab staff, sta] pl mpfo-n to stamp - more at STAMP
1a: a long stick carried in the hand for support in walking 1b: a
supporting rod : as archaic 1b1: SHAFT 1b2: a crosspiece in a ladder or
chair : RUNG 1b3: FLAGSTAFF 1b4: a pivoted arbor 1c: CLUB, CUDGEL 2a:
CROSIER 2b: a rod carried as a symbol of office or authority 3: the
horizontal lines with their spaces on which music is written 4: any of
various graduated sticks or rules used for measuring : RODM pl staffs 5a:
the officers chiefly responsible for the internal operations of an inst
itution or business 5b: a group of officers appointed to assist a civil
executive or commanding officer 5c: military or naval officers not
eligible for operational command 5d: the personnel who assist a director
in carrying out an assigned task - staff aj
2. staff vt : to supply with a staff or with workers
3. staff n [prob. fr. G staffieren to trim] : a building material having a
plaster of Paris base and used in exterior wall coverings of temporary
buildings