\Scep"ter\, Sceptre \Scep"tre\, n. [F. sceptre, L.
sceptrum, from Gr. ? a staff to lean upon, a scepter;
probably akin to E. shaft. See {Shaft}, and cf. {Scape} a
stem, shaft.]
1. A staff or baton borne by a sovereign, as a ceremonial
   badge or emblem of authority; a royal mace.

         And the king held out Esther the golden scepter that
         was in his hand.                      --Esther v. 2.

2. Hence, royal or imperial power or authority; sovereignty;
   as, to assume the scepter.

         The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a
         lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come.
                                               --Gen. xlix.
                                               10.

\Scep"ter\, Sceptre \Scep"tre\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Sceptered}or {Sceptred} (?); p. pr. & vb. n. {Sceptering}or
{Sceptring}.]
To endow with the scepter, or emblem of authority; to invest
with royal authority.

      To Britain's queen the sceptered suppliant bends.
                                               --Tickell.