from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Wand \Wand\, n. [Of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. v["o]ndr, akin to
Dan. vaand, Goth. wandus; perhaps originally, a pliant twig,
and akin to E. wind to turn.]
1. A small stick; a rod; a verge.
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With good smart blows of a wand on his back.
--Locke.
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2. Specifically:
(a) A staff of authority.
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Though he had both spurs and wand, they seemed
rather marks of sovereignty than instruments of
punishment. --Sir P.
Sidney.
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(b) A rod used by conjurers, diviners, magicians, etc.
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Picus bore a buckler in his hand;
His other waved a long divining wand. --Dryden.
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{Wand of peace} (Scots Law), a wand, or staff, carried by the
messenger of a court, which he breaks when deforced (that
is, hindered from executing process), as a symbol of the
deforcement, and protest for remedy of law. --Burrill.
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