Hypertext Webster Gateway: "sceptre"
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary (easton)
Sceptre
(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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Scepter \Scep"ter\, Sceptre \Scep"tre\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Sceptered}or {Sceptred} (?); p. pr. & vb. n. {Sceptering}or
{Sceptring}.]
To endow with the scepter, or emblem of authority; to invest
with royal authority.
To Britain's queen the sceptered suppliant bends.
--Tickell.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
sceptre
n 1: the imperial authority symbolized by a scepter [syn: {scepter}]
2: a ceremonial or emblematic staff [syn: {scepter}, {verge}, {wand}]
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