Stade
(Stade), n. [Cf. G. gestade shore.] A landing place or wharf. Knight.
Stadimeter
(Sta*dim"e*ter) n. [Stadium + -meter.] A horizontal graduated bar mounted on a staff, used
as a stadium, or telemeter, for measuring distances.
Stadium
(||Sta"di*um) n.; pl. Stadia [L., a stadium from Gr. .]
1. A Greek measure of length, being the chief one used for itinerary distances, also adopted by the
Romans for nautical and astronomical measurements. It was equal to 600 Greek or 625 Roman feet,
or 125 Roman paces, or to 606 feet 9 inches English. This was also called the Olympic stadium, as
being the exact length of the foot-race course at Olympia. Dr. W. Smith.
2. Hence, a race course; especially, the Olympic course for foot races.
3. A kind of telemeter for measuring the distance of an object of known dimensions, by observing the
angle it subtends; especially (Surveying), a graduated rod used to measure the distance of the place
where it stands from an instrument having a telescope, by observing the number of the graduations of
the rod that are seen between certain parallel wires (stadia wires) in the field of view of the telescope; —
also called stadia, and stadia rod.
Stadtholder
(Stadt"hold`er) n. [D. stadhouder; stad a city, a town + houder a holder.] Formerly, the
chief magistrate of the United Provinces of Holland; also, the governor or lieutenant governor of a province.
Stadtholderate
(Stadt"hold`er*ate Stadt"hold`er*ship) , n. The office or position of a stadtholder.
Stafette
(Sta*fette") n. [Cf. G. stafette. See Estafet.] An estafet. [R.] arlyle.
Staff
(Staff) n.; pl. Staves ( or 277) or Staffs (#) in senses 1-9, Staffs in senses 10, 11. [AS. stæf
a staff; akin to LG. & D. staf, OFries stef, G. stab, Icel. stafr, Sw. staf, Dan. stav, Goth. stabs
element, rudiment, Skr. sthapay to cause to stand, to place. See Stand, and cf. Stab, Stave, n.]
1. A long piece of wood; a stick; the long handle of an instrument or weapon; a pole or srick, used for
many purposes; as, a surveyor's staff; the staff of a spear or pike.
And he put the staves into the rings on the sides of the altar to bear it withal.
Ex. xxxviii. 7.
With forks and staves the felon to pursue.
Dryden. 2. A stick carried in the hand for support or defense by a person walking; hence, a support; that which
props or upholds. "Hooked staves." Piers Plowman.
The boy was the very staff of my age.
Shak.
He spoke of it [beer] in "The Earnest Cry," and likewise in the "Scotch Drink," as one of the staffs of life
which had been struck from the poor man's hand.
Prof. Wilson. 3. A pole, stick, or wand borne as an ensign of authority; a badge of office; as, a constable's staff.
Methought this staff, mine office badge in court,
Was broke in twain.
Shak.
All his officers brake their staves; but at their return new staves were delivered unto them.
Hayward. 4. A pole upon which a flag is supported and displayed.
5. The round of a ladder. [R.]
I ascend at one [ladder] of six hundred and thirty-nine staves.
Dr. J. Campbell (E. Brown's Travels).
