An ancient instrument, having an arc of fifteen degrees, formerly used at sea to take observations of the sun's amplitude at the time of its rising or setting, to find the variation of the compass.

A surveyor's rod, usually ten links long, used in measuring offsets.

An instrument for taking angles in surveying.

(surveying) A single straight rod or staff, pointed and iron-shod at the bottom, for penetrating the ground, and having a socket joint at the top, used, instead of a tripod, for supporting a compass.

Any of the genus Celastrus of shrubs and vines.

(architecture) A square rod of wood standing flush with the wall on each of its sides, at the external angles of plastering, to prevent their being damaged.

plural of chief of staff

(historical) Alternative form of vine staff.

(historical) Synonym of vine staff.

(historical) A cane originally made of twisted grapevine trimmings and used by Roman centurions to beat the soldiers under their command; the various mushroom-headed batons later borne by them as a mark of office