Scepter \Scep"ter\, Sceptre \Scep"tre\, n. [F. sceptre, L.
sceptrum, from Gr. ? a staff to lean upon, a scepter;
probably akin to E. shaft. See Shaft, and cf. Scape a
stem, shaft.]
1. A staff or baton borne by a sovereign, as a ceremonial
badge or emblem of authority; a royal mace.
And the king held out Esther the golden scepter that
was in his hand. --Esther v. 2.
2. Hence, royal or imperial power or authority; sovereignty;
as, to assume the scepter.
The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a
lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come.
--Gen. xlix.
10.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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