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Baton can refer to:
Instruments
Baton (via French bâton = "stick" from Late Latin bastum = "stout staff", probably of Gaulish origin) refers to several types of cylindrical or tapered instruments composed of a wide variety of materials (finished, not wood in the natural state), with differing functions:-
- A baton (billy, billy club, nightstick, riot stick) is a type of striking/parrying weapon (in English since 1549), staff or club, typically used by police, military, security personnel or martial artists. (See tonfa)
- A baton (symbol) is also used as a symbolic attribute of military or other office (in English since 1590); a representation of it is also used in heraldry as a mark of cadency.
- Conductors use light-weight batons for directing an orchestra, choir or mixed performers (word in English since 1867). These are usually very thin, tapered, often with a more substantial handle, and look somewhat like wands; the older baton cantoral as used by a precentor was hevaier, and usually white or metal.
- Each team of Relay racers carries and passes on (an act that can cost precious seconds) to each athlete starting his turn a baton, usually cylindrical, hollow, and made of wood or a lightweight metal.
- A baton is also a light metal rod that is used for keeping time, twirling, and juggling in marching band and parade performances, usually by drum majors or majorettes. Baton twirling is a sport with an unknown origin. Many people say that the Dutch introduced baton twirling to America in 1681 when they landed in Pennsylvania, others say Major Millsap created baton twirling when he established Millsap’s College in Mississippi after the Civil War. The sport of baton twirling has expanded beyond parades, and is now more comparable to rhythmic gymnastics (which includes manipulation of ribbons and light objects). In the USA, the top twirling organization is the United States Twirling Association. Other organizations include Drum Majorettes of America, the National Baton Twirling Association, Twirling Unlimited, and TwirlMania. The sport is popular in many countries including Japan, France, Italy, and Canada. Many countries compete each year at the World Baton Twirling Championships.
- A baton also refers to the center stick of a set of Devil Sticks, which is twirled and manipulated using one or two control sticks, also called the stick by stick jugglers.
- A baton also refers to movable horizontal pipes hung in a theatre for the purpose of hanging lights or scenery from. See also Rigging
- For expandable batons, see Club (weapon)#Telescopic batons.
Names and people
- Baton (Bato) was an Illyrian given name for males.
- Baton was the name of a Dardanian king in the 4th century BC.
- Baton from Pannonia was one of three leaders of the Illyrian uprising against the Romans in Pannonia and Dalmatia in 6 AD.
- Baton from Dalmatia was one of three leaders of the Illyrian uprising against the Romans in Dalmatia and Pannonia in 6 AD.
Other uses
- BATON is the name of a classified encryption algorithm.
- See also Baton Rouge (capital city of Louisiana, USA).
External links
ASP Baton used by UK police
"Baton"