tipstaff

[ tip-staf, -stahf ]

/ ˈtɪpˌstæf, -ˌstɑf /

an attendant or crier in a court of law.

a staff tipped with metal, formerly carried as a badge of office, as by a constable.

any official who carried such a staff.

Origin of tipstaff

1535–45; shortened form of earlier tipped staff; see tip¹, -ed³, staff¹

tipping point, tipple, tippler, tippy, tippytoe, tipstaff, tipster, tipsy, tipsy cake, tiptoe, tiptop

Cavalcanti took a step forward, his face purple with anger that this tipstaff ruffian should take such a tone with him.

The Strolling Saint |Raphael Sabatini
But the tipstaff was wroth, and picking up a large law book smashed it flat.

Jack Harkaway's Boy Tinker Among The Turks |Bracebridge Hemyng
It was through this gateway that the tipstaff preceded Mr. Pickwick, as you may read in chapter xii.

In Jail with Charles Dickens |Alfred Trumble
Finding they could not rouse her, the boys ran off to Mr. Tipstaff, the constable, and told him about her.

Jessie Carlton |Francis Forrester

Again, in his effort to follow, Mr. Thorndike was halted, but the first tipstaff came to his rescue.

Once Upon A Time |Richard Harding Davis

tipstaff

/ (ˈtɪpˌstɑːf) /

a court official having miscellaneous duties, mostly concerned with the maintenance of order in court

a metal-tipped staff formerly used as a symbol of office

C16 tipped staff; see tip 1, staff 1