baton

Where does the word "baton" come from? It comes from Late Latin bastum, passing through French before entering English (1540s).

Baton’s story begins in Late Latin: bastum meant “stick.” A Late Latin word, possibly from Greek 'bastazein', to carry. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as bâton. A stick used as a weapon or badge of office. It reached English by 1540s as baton. A conductor's baton dates from the 1800s; relay batons from the 1900s. Today, baton means a thin stick used by a conductor or relay runner.

1. Stage 1 · Late Latin · ancient bastum "stick", a Late Latin word, possibly from Greek 'bastazein', to carry.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1500s bâton "stick", a stick used as a weapon or badge of office.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1540s baton "staff of office", a conductor's baton dates from the 1800s; relay batons from the 1900s.