quarterstaff

noun

quar·​ter·​staff ˈkwȯ(r)-tər-ˌstaf How to pronounce quarterstaff (audio)
plural quarterstaves ˈkwȯ(r)-tər-ˌstavz How to pronounce quarterstaff (audio)
-ˌstāvz
: a long stout staff formerly used as a weapon and wielded with one hand in the middle and the other between the middle and the end

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of quarterstaff was circa 1550

Dictionary Entries Near quarterstaff

Cite this Entry

“Quarterstaff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quarterstaff. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

quarterstaff

noun
quar·​ter·​staff ˈkwȯ(r)t-ər-ˌstaf How to pronounce quarterstaff (audio)
plural quarterstaves -ˌstavz How to pronounce quarterstaff (audio)
-ˌstāvz
: a long strong staff used long ago as a weapon

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