wand of peace

1 definition found

wand of peace - 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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