scepter

noun scep·ter \ ˈsep-tər \

|Updated on: 29 May 2018

Definition of scepter

1 : a staff or baton borne by a sovereign as an emblem of authority

2 : royal or imperial authority : sovereignty

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Recent Examples of scepter from the Web

Foy, who scooped up both Golden Globe and SAG awards as Elizabeth, will hand over her scepter to Olivia Colman, and Margaret will transform from Kirby into Helena Bonham Carter.

— lisa rosen, latimes.com, "The sisters behind 'The Crown' bonded with each other, along with their royal roles," 23 May 2018
The Avengers recover Loki’s scepter at the beginning of Avengers: Age of Ultron.

— eliana dockterman, Time, "Everything to Know About Marvel’s Infinity Stones Before You See Avengers: Infinity War," 24 Apr. 2018
In bright purples, reds, and golds, these fashion renditions are further adorned in golden jewelry, scepters, and crowns.

— connie wang, refinery29.com, "The Met Got The Catholic Fashion Story Wrong," 7 May 2018
The figure, which was said to dwarf visitors to the temple, sat on a massive throne, clad in a golden robe covered in a relief of animals and lilies and clutching a massive golden scepter.

— Bloomberg.com, "Has the Best Art in the World Been Destroyed?," 2 May 2018
The Mind Stone: Once owned by Thanos, who lent it to Loki for his magic scepter.

— gary thompson, Philly.com, "What are the infinity stones that drive the plot of 'Avengers: Infinity War'?," 25 Apr. 2018
Tony Stark inadvertently unleashes an AI nightmare by using the Mind Stone scepter to create Ultron.

— tom russo, BostonGlobe.com, "In ‘Avengers: Infinity War,’ 23’s a crowd," 20 Apr. 2018
A few feet away, Levy dons a purple cape over her T-shirt and leggings and picks up Elsa’s scepter.

— eliana dockterman, TIME.com, "Inside Disney’s Ambitious Plan to Bring," 8 Mar. 2018
The church also calls itself the Rod of Iron Ministries, citing the Book of Revelation, which God is said to run with an iron scepter.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "Church ceremony with AR-15 rifles leads nearby school to relocate students," 27 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scepter.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of scepter

Origin and Etymology of scepter

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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scepter

verb

Definition of scepter

sceptered; sceptering play \ˈsep-t(ə-)riŋ\

transitive verb

: to invest with the scepter in token of royal authority

First Known Use of scepter

1526

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

SCEPTER Defined for English Language Learners

scepter

noun

Definition of scepter for English Language Learners

: a long decorated stick that is carried by a king or queen

SCEPTER Defined for Kids

scepter

noun scep·ter \ ˈsep-tər \

Definition of scepter for Students

: a rod carried by a ruler as a sign of authority

a royal scepter

Learn More about scepter

Spanish Central: Translation of scepter Nglish: Translation of scepter for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of scepter for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about scepter

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