staf

Middle English

/staf/

noun
Definitions
  • A staff, rod or pole; a relatively long, narrow, and thin object:
  • (Early ME) A letter of the alphabet.
  • (figurative) One's nourishment or lifeblood; that which aids one.
  • (figurative) A metaphorical arm or weapon; a tool of figurative battle.
  • (rare) A limb, tillow or twig.
  • (rare) A measure for area.
  • (rare) A poetic verse.

Etymology

Inherited from Old English stæf (letter, staff, grammarical, grammar) inherited from Proto-Germanic *stabaz (staff, stick).

Origin

Proto-Germanic

*stabaz

Gloss

staff, stick

Concept
Semantic Field

Quantity

Ontological Category

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Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms