quarterstaff

noun

quar·​ter·​staff ˈkwȯ(r)-tər-ˌstaf 

plural quarterstaves ˈkwȯ(r)-tər-ˌstavz 

-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

Kids Definition

quarterstaff

noun

quar·​ter·​staff ˈkwȯ(r)t-ər-ˌstaf 

plural quarterstaves -ˌstavz 

-ˌstāvz

: a long strong staff used long ago as a weapon