{ } n. [ F. sceptre, L. sceptrum, from Gr. &unr_; 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. [ 1913 Webster ] And the king held out Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Esther v. 2. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Hence, royal or imperial power or authority; sovereignty; as, to assume the scepter. [ 1913 Webster ] The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come. Gen. xlix. 10. [ 1913 Webster ] Variants: Scepter | 