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. Etym: [D. stadhouder; stad a city, a town + houder a holder.]
Defn: Formerly, the chief magistrate of the United Provinces of
Holland; also, the governor or lieutenant governor of a province.
STADTHOLDERATE; STADTHOLDERSHIP
Stadt"hold`er*ate, Stadt"hold`er*ship, n.
Defn: The office or position of a stadtholder.
STAFETTE
Sta*fette", n. Etym: [Cf. G. stafette. See Estafet.]
Defn: An estafet. [R.] arlyle.
STAFF Staff, n.; pl. Staves ( or Staffs in senses 1-9, Staffs in senses 10, 11. Etym: [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.