| 释义 |
staffette Obs. exc. Hist.|stæˈfɛt|
Also 7 staffett, staffeto.
[ad. It. staffetta, dim. of staffa, stirrup. Cf. estafette.]
A mounted courier.
1545Wotton in St. Papers Hen. VIII, X. 487, I have written thryse to you, twyse by the ordynarye staffette that goith weekelye to Andwerpe. 1633Cal. St. Papers, Dom. 28 Jan. 521 [Orders..to erect] staffette [or packet posts at fit stages]. Ibid. Apr. 39 [That letters should be sent by] staffeto. 1635in Rep. Secret Comm. Post-Office App. (1844) 55 A Proposition for setling of Staffets or pacquet posts betwixt London and all parts of his Maiesties dominions. 1714Lond. Gaz. No. 5263/2 We have Advices from Vienna which say, that a Staffette was arrived there with Letters from Constantinople. 1858Carlyle Fredk. Gt. iv. v. (1865) I. 307 Brief weekly report to his Majesty will be expected; staffettes, should cases of hot haste occur. |