Main Entry: ¹scep·ter

Pronunciation: \ˈsep-tər\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English sceptre, from Anglo-French septre, from Latin sceptrum, from Greek skēptron staff, scepter, from skēptesthai to prop oneself — more at shaft

Date: 14th century

1 : a staff or baton borne by a sovereign as an emblem of authority
2 : royal or imperial authority : sovereignty

[scepter illustration]