ETYM French sceptre, Latin sceptrum, from Greek skeptron a staff to lean upon, a scepter; probably akin to Eng. shaft. Related to Shaft, Scape a stem, shaft.
(Alternate spelling: sceptre).
1. A ceremonial or emblematic staff; SYN. sceptre, verge, wand.
2. The imperial authority symbolized by a scepter; SYN. sceptre.

Alternate (chiefly British) spelling for scepter.