I.a rod, wand, stick, switch, Lat. virga, Hom., Xen.
2.a magic wand, as that of Circe or Hermes, Hom.
3.a fishing-rod, Od.:—also a limed twig, for catching birds, Ar.
4.a spear-staff or shaft, Xen.
5.a staff of office, like the earlier σκῆπτρον, Pind.
6.the wand borne by the ῥαψῳδός: hence, κατὰ ῥάβδον ἐπέων according to the measure of his (Homer's) verses, Pind.
II.a stripe or strip, Il.