Library / English Dictionary

STAFF

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A strong rod or stick with a specialized utilitarian purpose

Example:

he walked with the help of a wooden staff

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("staff" is a kind of...):

stick (an implement consisting of a length of wood)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "staff"):

alpenstock (a stout staff with a metal point; used by mountain climbers)

baton (a short staff carried by some officials to symbolize an office or an authority)

crook; shepherd's crook (a long staff with one end being hook shaped)

crutch (a wooden or metal staff that fits under the armpit and reaches to the ground; used by disabled person while walking)

distaff (the staff on which wool or flax is wound before spinning)

flagpole; flagstaff (a tall staff or pole on which a flag is raised)

pikestaff (the staff of a pike)

quarterstaff (a long stout staff used as a weapon)

Sense 2

Meaning:

(music) the system of five horizontal lines on which the musical notes are written

Synonyms:

staff; stave

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("staff" is a kind of...):

musical notation ((music) notation used by musicians)

Meronyms (parts of "staff"):

staff line (any of the 5 horizontal marks comprising a staff)

space (one of the areas between or below or above the lines of a musical staff)

Domain category:

music (an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A rod carried as a symbol

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("staff" is a kind of...):

symbol (an arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "staff"):

tipstaff (staff with a metal tip carried as a sign of office by e.g. a bailiff or constable)

scepter; sceptre; verge; wand (a ceremonial or emblematic staff)

mace (a ceremonial staff carried as a symbol of office or authority)

crosier; crozier (a staff surmounted by a crook or cross carried by bishops as a symbol of pastoral office)

Sense 4

Meaning:

The body of teachers and administrators at a school

Example:

the dean addressed the letter to the entire staff of the university

Synonyms:

faculty; staff

Classified under:

Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects

Hypernyms ("staff" is a kind of...):

body (a group of persons associated by some common tie or occupation and regarded as an entity)

Meronyms (members of "staff"):

prof; professor (someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university)

Holonyms ("staff" is a member of...):

school (an educational institution)

Derivation:

staff (provide with staff)

staff (serve on the staff of)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task

Example:

the general relied on his staff to make routine decisions

Classified under:

Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects

Hypernyms ("staff" is a kind of...):

force; personnel (group of people willing to obey orders)

Meronyms (members of "staff"):

staff member; staffer (an employee who is a member of a staff of workers (especially a member of the staff that works for the President of the United States))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "staff"):

newsroom (the staff of a newspaper or the news department of a periodical)

office; office staff (professional or clerical workers in an office)

research staff (a group of associated research workers in a university or library or laboratory)

sales staff (those in a business who are responsible for sales)

security staff (those in an organization responsible for preventing spying or theft)

maintenance staff; service staff (those in a business responsible for maintaining the physical plant)

general staff (military officers assigned to assist a senior officer in planning military policy)

headquarters staff (military staff stationed at headquarters)

Derivation:

staff (provide with staff)

staff (serve on the staff of)

Sense 6

Meaning:

Building material consisting of plaster and hair; used to cover external surfaces of temporary structure (as at an exposition) or for decoration

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Hypernyms ("staff" is a kind of...):

building material (material used for constructing buildings)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Provide with staff

Example:

This position is not always staffed

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Hypernyms (to "staff" is one way to...):

cater; ply; provide; supply (give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "staff"):

man (provide with workers)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

staff (the body of teachers and administrators at a school)

staff (personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Serve on the staff of

Example:

The two men staff the reception desk

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Hypernyms (to "staff" is one way to...):

serve (do duty or hold offices; serve in a specific function)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

staff (the body of teachers and administrators at a school)

staff (personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task)

Credits

 Context examples: 

A division head is responsible for the overall direction in the conduct of research; provision and coordination of training and education; operations, staffing, and maintenance of the facilities.

(Division Head, NCI Thesaurus)

The Plains Elevated Convection at Night (PECAN) field campaign will involve scientists, students and support staff from eight research laboratories and 14 universities.

(Scientists tackle mystery of thunderstorms that strike at night, NSF)

Intense glucose therapy increased the risk of very low blood glucose (hypoglycemia) and required a higher level of care such as increased supervision from nursing staff, compared to standard treatment.

(Researchers get a handle on how to control blood sugar after stroke, National Institutes of Health)

A mobile unit staffed and equipped to collect blood donations for a blood bank.

(Bloodmobile, NCI Thesaurus)

Membership includes NCI staff and representatives of NCI-sponsored Cooperative Groups and Cancer Centers, as well as other sources.

(CEP Member, NCI Thesaurus)

It causes a staph infection (pronounced "staff infection") that is resistant to several common antibiotics.

(MRSA, NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)

A wooden or metal staff that fits under the armpit and reaches to the ground, used as an aid while walking.

(Crutch, NCI Thesaurus)

The clinical specialist has expertise in the process of case management, consultation, collaboration, and education of clients, staff, and other health professionals.

(Home Health Nurse Specialist, NCI Thesaurus)

Staff members are encouraged to develop relationships with residents.

(Nursing Homes, NIH: National Institute on Aging)

Non-programmatically Aligned Cancer Center Research Members are Cancer Center faculty and staff not affiliated with any of its research programs.

(Non-programmatically Aligned Cancer Center Research Member Section of Cancer Center Support Grant Application, NCI Thesaurus)