E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Staff.
I keep the staff in my own hand. I keep possession; I retain the right. The staff was the ancient sceptre, and therefore, figuratively, it means, power, authority, dignity, etc.
1
To part with the staff. To lose or give up office or possession. (See above.)
2
“Give up your staff, sir, and the king his realm.”
Shakespeare: 2 Henry VI., ii. 3.
To put down one’s staff in a place. To take up one’s residence. The allusion is to the tent-staff: where the staff is placed, there the tent is stretched, and the nomad resides.
3
To strike my staff. To lodge for the time being.
4
“Thou mayst see me at thy pleasure, for I intend to strike my staff at yonder hostelry.”—Cæsar Borgia, xv.
