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

OTHER WORDS FROM staff

staff·less, adjective un·staffed, adjective well-staffed, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH staff

staff staph

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

2
1890–95, Americanism; perhaps < German Stoff stuff

Example 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.