Jacob's staff
1 of 2noun (1)
1
obsolete : a pilgrim's staff
2
a
obsolete : cross-staff sense 2
b
or less commonly Jacob staff : a short square rod with a cursor used for measuring heights and distances
c
or less commonly Jacob staff : a straight rod or staff pointed and shod with iron at the bottom for insertion in the ground, having a socket joint at the top, and used instead of a tripod for supporting a compass
3
obsolete : a staff with a sword or dagger concealed in it
Jacob's-staff
2 of 2noun (2)
plural Jacob's-staffs
1
: great mullein
2
: a plant of the genus Fouquieria
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
after Jacob St. James, symbolized in religious art by a pilgrim's staff
Noun (2)
Jacob's staff (pilgrim's staff)