Wand (?), n. [Of Scand. origin; cf. Icel.
vöndr, akin to Dan. vaand, Goth. wandus; perhaps
originally, a pliant twig, and akin to E. wind to turn.]
1. A small stick; a rod; a verge.
With good smart blows of a wand on his
back.
Locke.
2. Specifically: (a) A staff of
authority.
Though he had both spurs and wand, they seemed rather
marks of sovereignty than instruments of punishment.
Sir P.
Sidney.
(b) A rod used by conjurers, diviners, magicians,
etc.
Picus bore a buckler in his hand;
His other waved a long divining wand.
Dryden.
Wand of peace (Scots Law), a wand, or
staff, carried by the messenger of a court, which he breaks when deforced
(that is, hindered from executing process), as a symbol of the deforcement,
and protest for remedy of law. Burrill.