Baton

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

• Baton (conducting) used for directing an orchestra, choir or mixed performers
• Baton (symbol), a symbolic attribute of military or other office
• Baton (twirling) - a light metal rod used for keeping time, twirling, and juggling in marching band and parade performances
• Club (weapon) (also called a baton, billy club, nightstick, or riot stick), a type of striking/parrying weapon typically used by police, military or security personnel
• Batons are carried by runners in a Relay race
• A baton is used in heraldry as a mark of cadency.
• The center stick of a set of Devil sticks, manipulated by jugglers
• In Stage lighting, "baton" is an alternate spelling for Batten, and refers to movable horizontal pipes from which lights or scenery are hung
• A dildo is sometimes called a baton

Other users of the word Baton include:

• A baton is a type of french bread that is a bit smaller than a baguette.
• BATON is the name of a classified encryption algorithm.
• Baton Broadcasting, a Canadian broadcaster, now part of CTVglobemedia
• Baton Broadcasting System, a defunct television system owned by Baton Broadcasting Inc.
• Baton Rouge, the capital city of Louisiana, USA
• Baton Records, a record label

Baton may also refer to one of several people:

• Baton (name) (Bato) was an Illyrian given name for males
• Baton (Dardanian king) was the name of a Dardanian king in the 4th century BC
• Baton of Pannonia from Pannonia was one of three leaders of the Illyrian uprising against the Romans in Pannonia and Dalmatia in 6 AD
• Baton of Dalmatia from Dalmatia was one of three leaders of the Illyrian uprising against the Romans in Dalmatia and Pannonia in 6 AD.

See also:

• Baton charge