handstaff

H4A1N1D2S1T1A1F4F4

noun

The part of a flail that is held in the hand.

OriginMiddle English hond staffe →
Scrabble 19
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Meanings

nounhandstaff (plural handstaffs or handstaves)

plural handstaffs · plural handstaves

  1. The part of a flail that is held in the hand.
  2. obsoleteA weapon mentioned in the Bible (Ezekiel), perhaps a javelin.

Origin

  1. Middle Englishhond staffe
  2. Englishhandstaff

From Middle English hond staffe; equivalent to hand + staff.

More words from Middle English

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Polish dzierżak
  • dzierżakpart of a flail
Cite this entry
APA

handstaff. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/handstaff

MLA

“handstaff.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/handstaff. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “handstaff,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/handstaff.

Source: handstaff on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.