Category:Wand

Wand, n. Etym: [of scand. origin; cf. Icel. vöndr, 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. With good smart blows of a wand on his back. Locke.

2. Specifically: (a) a staff of authority. Though he had both spurs and wand, they seemed rather marks of Sovereignty than instruments of punishment. Sir p. Sidney.

(b) a rod used by conjurers, diviners, magicians, etc. Picus bore a buckler in his hand; his other waved a long divining Wand. Dryden. 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.