a straight and slender stick; a wand; hence, any slender bar, as of wood or metal (applied to various purposes).-an instrument of punishment or correction; figuratively, chastisement.-a kind of sceptor, or badge of office; hence, figuratively, power; authority; tyranny; oppression.-a support for a fishing line; a fish pole.-a member used in tension, as for sustaining a suspended weight, or in tension and compression, as for transmitting reciprocating motion, etc.; a connecting bar. -an instrument for measuring.-a measure of length containing sixteen and a half feet; -- called also perch, and pole.