Truncheon
/ˈtrʌn.tʃən/noun
A short thick stick used as a weapon or a police officer’s baton.
Did you know?Truncheon comes through Old French from a Latin word for a broken piece, and its history reminds us that authority was once literally something you could swing.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
truncus
“a trunk, stump, or something cut off”
Late Latin
Latin
truncionem
“a broken piece or stump”
Old French
Old French
truncheon
“a thick stick, staff, or cudgel”
Middle English
English
truncheon
“a short staff or club”
Modern English
English
truncheon
“a police baton or club”
Explore more surprising origins