Origin of staff
1
before 900; Middle English
staf (noun), Old English
stæf; cognate with Dutch
staf, German
Stab, Old Norse
stafr staff, Sanskrit
stabh- support
usage note for staff
See
collective noun.
OTHER WORDS FROM staff
staff·less, adjective un·staffed, adjective well-staffed, adjectiveWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH staff
staff staphWords nearby staff
Definition for staff (2 of 2)
staff
2
[ staf, stahf ]
/ stæf, stɑf /
noun
a composition of plaster and fibrous material used for a temporary finish and in ornamental work, as on exposition buildings.
Origin of staff
2Example sentences from the Web for staff
British Dictionary definitions for staff (1 of 2)
staff
1
/ (stɑːf) /
noun plural for senses 1,3,4 staffs or plural for senses 5-9 staffs or staves (steɪvz)
verb
(tr)
to provide with a staff
Word Origin for staff
Old English
stæf; related to Old Frisian
stef, Old Saxon
staf, German
Stab, Old Norse
stafr, Gothic
Stafs; see
stave
British Dictionary definitions for staff (2 of 2)
staff
2
/ (stɑːf) /
noun
US
a mixture of plaster and hair used to cover the external surface of temporary structures and for decoration
Word Origin for staff
C19: of unknown origin
Medical definitions for staff
staff
[ stăf ]
n.
A specific group of workers.
director
v.
To provide with a staff of workers or assistants.
To serve on the staff of.