baton > define

noun

• A thin tapered rod used by a conductor to lead an orchestra or choir.
  • synonyms: wand
• A short stout club used primarily by policemen.
  • synonyms: truncheon, nightstick, billy, billystick, billy club
• A short staff carried by some officials to symbolize an office or an authority.
• A hollow metal rod that is wielded or twirled by a drum major or drum majorette.
• A hollow cylinder passed from runner to runner in a relay race. .

• (n.) An ordinary with its ends cut off, borne sinister as a mark of bastardy, and containing one fourth in breadth of the bend sinister; -- called also bastard bar. See Bend sinister.
• (n.) A staff or truncheon, used for various purposes; as, the baton of a field marshal; the baton of a conductor in musical performances.