wand

Definition

A hand-held narrow rod, usually used for pointing or instructing, or as a traditional emblem of authority.

Etymology

From Middle English wand, wond, from Old Norse vǫndr (“switch, twig”), from Proto-Germanic *wanduz (“rod”), from Proto-Indo-European *wendʰ- (“to turn, twist, wind, braid”). Cognate with Icelandic vendi (“wand”), Danish vånd (“wand, switch”), German Wand (“wall, septum”), Gothic 𐍅𐌰𐌽𐌳𐌿𐍃 (wandus, “rod”).

Example Sentences

• "Then all of a sudden a number of armed men arranged in companies, and marshalled by officers who held ivory wands in their hands, came running swiftly towards us, having, so far as I could make out, emerged from the face of the precipice like ants from their burrows."
• "Love is that blessed wand which wins the waters from the hardness of the heart."
• "Shop vac serves as blower to force vermiculite in fiber drum up through vacuum-cleaner wand and hose into wall opening"