ˈbætən n. 1 a
thin stick used by a
conductor to
direct an
orchestra,
choir, etc. 2
Athletics a
short stick or
tube carried
and passed on by
the runners in a
relay race. 3 a long stick carried and twirled by a drum
major. 4 a staff of
office or
authority,
esp. a
Field Marshal's. 5 a policeman's
truncheon. 6
Heraldry a
narrow truncated bend. 7 Horol. a short bar replacing
some figures on dials. øbaton
round a rubber or
plastic bullet. [F bçton, baston ult. f. LL bastum stick]