Crosier
/ˈkroʊ.ʒər/noun
A bishop's staff, often curved at the top, used as a symbol of pastoral authority.
Did you know?The English word comes through Old French from Latin *crocia*, a staff or crook, and its shape deliberately echoed a shepherd’s crook to signal spiritual guardianship.
Etymological Timeline
Late Latin
Latin
crocia
“A staff or crook, especially one with a bent shape”
Old French
OF
croce
“A crook or hooked staff”
Middle English
English
crosier
“A bishop's staff or pastoral crook”
Modern English
English
crosier
“A bishop's ceremonial staff”