SCEP'TER, noun [Latin sceptrum; Gr. from to send or thrust; coinciding with Latin scipio, that is, a shoot or rod.] 1. A staff or batoon borne by kings on solemn occasions, as a badge of authority. Hence, 2. The appropriate ensign of royalty; an ensign of higher antiquity than the crown. Hence, 3. Royal power or authority; as, to assume the scepter The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, till Shiloh come. Genesis 49:1. 4. A constellation. SCEP'TER, verb transitive To invest with royal authority, or with the ensign of authority.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI