Baton \Bat"on\ (b[a^]t"[u^]n, F. b[aum]`t[^o]N"; 277), n. [F.
   b[^a]ton. See Baston.]
   1. A staff or truncheon, used for various purposes; as, the
      baton of a field marshal; the baton of a conductor in
      musical performances.
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            He held the baton of command.         --Prescott.
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   2. (Her.) An ordinary with its ends cut off, borne sinister
      as a mark of bastardy, and containing one fourth in
      breadth of the bend sinister; -- called also bastard
      bar. See Bend sinister.
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