scepter

UK: /ˈsɛptə^r/ US: /ˈsɛptɚ/ ,(sep′tər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

scep•ter /ˈsɛptɚ/   n. [countable]

1. a rod held in the hand as a sign of royal power.

Also,[esp. Brit.,] ˈscep•tre. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

scep•ter  (sep′tər), n. 

1. a rod or wand borne in the hand as an emblem of regal or imperial power.
2. royal or imperial power or authority; sovereignty.

v.t. 

3. to give a scepter to;
   invest with authority.

Also,[esp. Brit.,] sceptre. 

• Greek skêptron staff; akin to shaft
• Latin scēptrum
• Old French
• Middle English (s)ceptre 1250–1300

scep′ter•less, adj. 
scep•tral  (sep′trəl), adj. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

scep•tre  (sep′tər), n., v.t., -tred, -tring. [Chiefly Brit.]

1. British Terms scepter.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

sceptre, scepter / ˈsɛptə/ noun

1. a ceremonial staff held by a monarch as the symbol of authority
2. imperial authority; sovereignty

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French sceptre, from Latin scēptrum, from Greek skēptron staff

ˈsceptred, ˈsceptered adjective