Sceptre
noun
A decorated stick carried by a king or queen as a symbol of power.
The queen held her sceptre high for everyone to see.
Often appears as...
- hold the sceptre
- royal sceptre
Usage tips
Formal
noun
In a more specific or constrained usage, it refers to a specific type of ornamented staffs often made of precious metals.
The royal sceptre was made of gold and crusted with diamonds.
Often appears as...
- gold sceptre
- diamond sceptre
Usage tips
Formal
noun
In a figurative sense, it refers to the reign or authority of a person or group.
With the death of the old king, the sceptre passed to his young son.
Often appears as...
- pass the sceptre
- inherit the sceptre
Usage tips
Formal, Approving
Literary
noun
A decorated stick carried by a king or queen as a symbol of power.
The queen held her sceptre high for everyone to see.
Often appears as...
- hold the sceptre
- royal sceptre
Usage tips
Formal
noun
In a more specific or constrained usage, it refers to a specific type of ornamented staffs often made of precious metals.
The royal sceptre was made of gold and crusted with diamonds.
Often appears as...
- gold sceptre
- diamond sceptre
Usage tips
Formal
noun
In a figurative sense, it refers to the reign or authority of a person or group.
With the death of the old king, the sceptre passed to his young son.
Often appears as...
- pass the sceptre
- inherit the sceptre
Usage tips
Formal, Approving
Literary
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Not Literal
Understand 'sceptre' isn't used for any stick but a ceremonial one specific to royalty.
She can't just pick up a branch and call it a sceptre; it's not that simple.
Pro Tip 2/3Symbol of Authority
Remember, a 'sceptre' symbolizes the wearer's right to command, not just a fancy object.
The prince's sceptre is more than decoration; it represents his future kingship.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Significance
Be aware, the 'sceptre' often has historical and cultural importance in monarchies.
The museum's sceptre exhibit explains its role in ancient coronations.
Pro Tip 1/3Not Literal
Understand 'sceptre' isn't used for any stick but a ceremonial one specific to royalty.
She can't just pick up a branch and call it a sceptre; it's not that simple.
Pro Tip 2/3Symbol of Authority
Remember, a 'sceptre' symbolizes the wearer's right to command, not just a fancy object.
The prince's sceptre is more than decoration; it represents his future kingship.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Significance
Be aware, the 'sceptre' often has historical and cultural importance in monarchies.
The museum's sceptre exhibit explains its role in ancient coronations.
Pro Tip 1/3Not Literal
Understand 'sceptre' isn't used for any stick but a ceremonial one specific to royalty.
She can't just pick up a branch and call it a sceptre; it's not that simple.
Pro Tip 2/3Symbol of Authority
Remember, a 'sceptre' symbolizes the wearer's right to command, not just a fancy object.
The prince's sceptre is more than decoration; it represents his future kingship.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Significance
Be aware, the 'sceptre' often has historical and cultural importance in monarchies.
The museum's sceptre exhibit explains its role in ancient coronations.
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Video examples
Mansa Musa, one of the...
Mali and its king were elevated to near legendary status, cemented by their inclusion on the 1375 Catalan Atlas. One of the most important world maps of Medieval Europe, it depicted the King holding a scepter and a gleaming gold nugget.
Video examples
Examining A Lost Queen PIPE...
as Nefertiti has been a source of controversy in recent years some scholars make the claim based on several clues the most important a broken arm found in nearby wrappings the hand once clenched a scepter the symbol of
Video examples
Mansa Musa, one of the...
Mali and its king were elevated to near legendary status, cemented by their inclusion on the 1375 Catalan Atlas. One of the most important world maps of Medieval Europe, it depicted the King holding a scepter and a gleaming gold nugget.
Video examples
Examining A Lost Queen PIPE...
as Nefertiti has been a source of controversy in recent years some scholars make the claim based on several clues the most important a broken arm found in nearby wrappings the hand once clenched a scepter the symbol of
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Claire Foy
English Actress
The coronation is a symbol of power, but it's not a symbol for us the people. It's a symbol for that person, who is a human, to become a higher being and become one with God. The church, the scepter, and the crown have been around forever. And the line of kings of England goes back thousands of years.
Quote examples
James Shirley
English Dramatist
The glories of our blood and state, Are shadows, not substantial things; There is no armour against fate, Death lays his icy hand on kings. Scepter and crown must tumble down, And, in the dust, be equal made With the poor crooked scythe and spade.
Quote examples
Mary Wollstonecraft
British Writer
I love my man as my fellow; but his scepter, real, or usurped, extends not to me, unless the reason of an individual demands my homage; and even then the submission is to reason, and not to man.
Quote examples
Saint Bernard
Saint
Learn the lesson that, if you are to do the work of a prophet, what you want is not a sceptre, but a hoe. The prophet does not rise to reign, but to root out the weeds.
Quote examples
Mary Wollstonecraft
British Writer
Taught from infancy that beauty is woman's sceptre, the mind shapes itself to the body, and roaming round its gilt cage, only seeks to adorn its prison.
Quote examples
Edith Evans
English Actress
A successful artist of any kind has to work so hard that she is justified in refusing to lay down her sceptre until she is placed on the bier.
Quote examples
Pierre Corneille
French Dramatist
After having won a scepter, few are so generous as to disdain the pleasures of ruling.
Quote examples
Robert Green Ingersoll
American Lawyer
The place does not make the man, nor the sceptre the king. Greatness is from within.
Quote examples
Claire Foy
English Actress
The coronation is a symbol of power, but it's not a symbol for us the people. It's a symbol for that person, who is a human, to become a higher being and become one with God. The church, the scepter, and the crown have been around forever. And the line of kings of England goes back thousands of years.
Quote examples
James Shirley
English Dramatist
The glories of our blood and state, Are shadows, not substantial things; There is no armour against fate, Death lays his icy hand on kings. Scepter and crown must tumble down, And, in the dust, be equal made With the poor crooked scythe and spade.
Quote examples
Mary Wollstonecraft
British Writer
I love my man as my fellow; but his scepter, real, or usurped, extends not to me, unless the reason of an individual demands my homage; and even then the submission is to reason, and not to man.
Quote examples
Saint Bernard
Saint
Learn the lesson that, if you are to do the work of a prophet, what you want is not a sceptre, but a hoe. The prophet does not rise to reign, but to root out the weeds.
Quote examples
Mary Wollstonecraft
British Writer
Taught from infancy that beauty is woman's sceptre, the mind shapes itself to the body, and roaming round its gilt cage, only seeks to adorn its prison.
Quote examples
Edith Evans
English Actress
A successful artist of any kind has to work so hard that she is justified in refusing to lay down her sceptre until she is placed on the bier.
Quote examples
Pierre Corneille
French Dramatist
After having won a scepter, few are so generous as to disdain the pleasures of ruling.
Quote examples
Robert Green Ingersoll
American Lawyer
The place does not make the man, nor the sceptre the king. Greatness is from within.
Example 1 of 8
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