Adjacent Words

sceptre definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: the imperial authority symbolized by a scepter [syn: scepter, sceptre]
2: a ceremonial or emblematic staff [syn: scepter, sceptre, verge, wand]

Merriam Webster's

British variant of scepter

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. (US scepter) 1 a staff borne esp. at a coronation as a symbol of sovereignty. 2 royal or imperial authority. Derivatives: sceptred adj. Etymology: ME f. OF (s)ceptre f. L sceptrum f. Gk skeptron f. skepto lean on

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Scepter Scep"ter, Sceptre Scep"tre, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scepteredor Sceptred (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Scepteringor Sceptring.] To endow with the scepter, or emblem of authority; to invest with royal authority. To Britain's queen the sceptered suppliant bends. --Tickell.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Scepter Scep"ter, Sceptre Scep"tre, n. [F. sceptre, L. sceptrum, from Gr. ? a staff to lean upon, a scepter; probably akin to E. shaft. See Shaft, and cf. Scape a stem, shaft.] 1. A staff or baton borne by a sovereign, as a ceremonial badge or emblem of authority; a royal mace. And the king held out Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. --Esther v. 2. 2. Hence, royal or imperial power or authority; sovereignty; as, to assume the scepter. The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come. --Gen. xlix. 10.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(sceptres) Note: in AM, use 'scepter' A sceptre is an ornamental rod that a king or queen carries on ceremonial occasions as a symbol of his or her power. N-COUNT

Easton's Bible Dictionary

(Heb. shebet = Gr. skeptron), properly a staff or rod. As a symbol of authority, the use of the sceptre originated in the idea that the ruler was as a shepherd of his people (Gen. 49:10; Num. 24:17; Ps. 45:6; Isa. 14:5). There is no example on record of a sceptre having ever been actually handled by a Jewish king.

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. 1. Royal mace, royal baton. 2. Royal power, sovereign authority.