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bathysphere
batido
batik
batiste
Batley
batman
batmouse
BATNEEC
baton
baton charge
Baton Rouge
baton round
batrachian
bats
batsman
batswoman
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baton

ba·ton [ bə tón, bátt'n ] (plural ba·tons)


noun 
Definition:
 
1. music stick for conducting music: a short thin stick used by a conductor to direct musical performers

2. police heavy stick used by police: a short thick stick used as a weapon, especially by police
a side-handled baton

3. sports stick passed by relay team: a short stick or hollow cylinder passed by each runner in a relay team to the next runner

4. drum major's stick: a long stick with a knob at one or each end, carried and twirled by a drum major or majorette

5. symbol of office: a staff carried by an official such as a field marshal as a symbol of rank or office

6. heraldry diagonal line on coat of arms: a shortened narrow diagonal line on a coat of arms, especially one signifying bastardy

[Early 16th century. Via French< late Latin bastum "stick"]

take up the baton to take responsibility for something from somebody

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