{ Scep"ter, Scep"tre } (?), n. [F. sceptre, L. sceptrum, from Gr. &?; a staff to lean upon, a scepter; probably akin to E. shaft. See Shaft, and cf. Scape a stem, shaft.] 1. A staff or baton borne by a sovereign, as a ceremonial badge or emblem of authority; a royal mace.

And the king held out Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand.

2. Hence, royal or imperial power or authority; sovereignty; as, to assume the scepter.

The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come.

{ Scep"ter, Scep"tre }, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sceptered (?) or Sceptred (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Sceptering (?) or Sceptring (&?;).] To endow with the scepter, or emblem of authority; to invest with royal authority.

To Britain's queen the sceptered suppliant bends.

{ Scep"ter, Scep"tre } (?), n. [F. sceptre, L. sceptrum, from Gr. &?; a staff to lean upon, a scepter; probably akin to E. shaft. See Shaft, and cf. Scape a stem, shaft.] 1. A staff or baton borne by a sovereign, as a ceremonial badge or emblem of authority; a royal mace.

And the king held out Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand.

2. Hence, royal or imperial power or authority; sovereignty; as, to assume the scepter.

The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come.

{ Scep"ter, Scep"tre }, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sceptered (?) or Sceptred (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Sceptering (?) or Sceptring (&?;).] To endow with the scepter, or emblem of authority; to invest with royal authority.

To Britain's queen the sceptered suppliant bends.

• an ornamental staff held by a ruling monarch as a symbol of power