staff

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[[t]stæf, stɑf[/t]]

n. pl. staffs; staves(stāvz) orstaffs

1) a group of people, esp. employees, who carry out the work of an establishment or perform a specific function

2) a group of assistants to a manager, superintendent, or executive

3) mil

a) a body of military officers appointed to assist a commanding officer

b) the parts of an army concerned with administration rather than combat

4) a stick, pole, or rod for aid in walking or climbing, for use as a weapon, etc

5) a rod serving as a symbol of office or authority

6) a pole on which a flag is hung or displayed

7) something that supports or sustains

8) mad

Also, stave 5) a set of usu. five horizontal lines, with the corresponding four spaces between them, on which music is written.

9) archaic the shaft of a spear, lance, etc

10) cvb of or pertaining to a military or organizational staff

11) bus employed on the staff of a corporation, publication, institution, etc.:

a staff writer[/ex]

12) to provide with a staff of assistants or workers

13) to serve on the staff of

14) to send to a staff for study or further work (often fol. by out)

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Etymology: bef. 900; OE stæf, c. OFris stef, OSstaf, OHG stap, ON stafr staff usage: See collective noun II

staff

[[t]stæf, stɑf[/t]] n.

bui a composition of plaster and fibrous material used for a temporary finish and in ornamental work, as on exposition buildings

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Etymology: 1890–95, amer.; perh. < G Stoff stuff