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.
Esther v. 2.
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 Shilon come.
Gen. xlix. 10.
© Webster 1913.
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.
Tickell.
© Webster 1913.