Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

baculus

noun
bac·u·lus | \ -ləs \
plural baculi\-ˌlī, -ˌlē \

Definition of baculus 

: a staff regarded as symbolic of authority (such as the pastoral staff of a bishop)

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of baculus

1886, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for baculus

Late Latin; akin to Latin baculum staff

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about baculus

Dictionary Entries near baculus

baculite

Baculites

baculiticone

baculus

bacury

bad

bada bing

Statistics for baculus

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for baculus

The first known use of baculus was in 1886

See more words from the same year

Comments on baculus

What made you want to look up baculus? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

glade

an open space surrounded by woods

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Name that Food Quiz

  • alt-573b465788319
  • Name these cookies!
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Syn City

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games