Bā-tōn' or Ba-toon', n.

(bā-tōng'), (ba-toon'), n. [Fr. bâton. See BASTON and BASTE.] 1. A staff or truncheon, used for various purposes; as, the baton of a field marshal; the baton of a conductor in musical performances; the baton of a policeman. He held the baton of command. Prescott. 2. (Her.) A bar on an escutcheon, usually denoting bastardy. Burke.