Definitions

Sorry, no definitions found. Check out and contribute to the discussion of this word!

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word staffe.

Examples

  • [Footnote 1: 'staffe' above 'Cane'.] [Footnote 2: 'though' above 'notion'.] [Footnote 3: 'otherwise' above 'els'.] [Footnote 4: 'might perhaps' above 'should'.] *****

    Characters from 17th Century Histories and Chronicles Various

  • Travailer passing by the Vine, having a long piked staffe on his necke: the staffe (by chance) touched the head, and made it turne divers times about, and in the end faced Florence, which being the cal for Frederigoes comming, by this meanes he was disappointed.

    The Decameron 2004

  • Annointing his naked body with Hony, he then covered it over with downy small Feathers, and fastening a chaine about his necke, and a strange ugly vizard on his face, he gave him a great staffe in the one hand, and two huge Mastive dogs chained together in the other, which he had borrowed in the Butchery.

    The Decameron 2004

  • Madame, it can no way discontent mee (seeing it is your most gracious pleasure) that I should have the honour, to breake the first staffe of freedome in this faire company (according to the injunction of your Majesty) for liberty of our own best liking arguments: wherein I dismay not (if I can speake well enough) but to please you all as well, as any other that is to follow me.

    The Decameron 2004

  • As in the like manner, for support of vertue, in those of contrary condition, shaming to be sullyed with so grosse a sinne: the correcting Wand may serve as a walking staffe, to protect them from all other feares.

    The Decameron 2004

  • After some indifferent respite of time, it chanced that the young Damosel (who was named Iphigenia) awaked before any of the other with her, and lifted up her head, with her eyes wide open, she saw Chynon standing before her, leaning still on his staffe; whereat marvailing not a little, she saide unto him: Chynon, whither wanderest thou, or what dost thou seeke for in this wood?

    The Decameron 2004

  • Their souldiers also must be furnished with strong hand-bowes and cros-bowes, which they greatly dread, and with sufficient arrowes, with maces also of good iron, or an axe with a long handle or staffe.

    The long and wonderful voyage of Frier Iohn de Plano Carpini 2004

  • One of them did beate a place with the staffe, where she was assured of the

    The Decameron 2004

  • Both the yong damosels, when they were come before the King, with modest and bashfull gesture, they performed very humble reverence to him, and going to the place of entrance into the Pond, she who held the Trevit, set it downe on the ground, with the other things also; and taking the staffe which the other

    The Decameron 2004

  • No sooner had Chynon fixed his eye upon her, but he stood leaning upon his staffe; and viewed her very advisedly, without speaking word, and in no meane admiration, as if he had never seene the forme of a woman before.

    The Decameron 2004

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.

  • A staffe of cocks. A pair of cocks. - provincial term from the south of England.

    May 2, 2011