WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Wand
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [Of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. v?ndr, akin to Dan. vaand, Goth. wandus; perhaps originally, a pliant twig, and akin to E. wind to turn.]
Definition : 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.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913