1
obsolete
: a pilgrim's staff
2
a
obsolete
: cross-staff sense 2
b
or less commonly Jacob staff
: a short square rod with a cursor used for measuring heights and distances
c
or less commonly Jacob staff
: a straight rod or staff pointed and shod with iron at the bottom for insertion in the ground, having a socket joint at the top, and used instead of a tripod for supporting a compass
3
obsolete
: a staff with a sword or dagger concealed in it
plural Jacob's-staffs
1
2
: a plant of the genus Fouquieria
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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