ῥάβδος
Alt. ῥάβδος, ἡ,
I. "a rod, wand, stick, switch", Lat. virga, Hom., Xen.
2. "a magic wand", as that of Circe or Hermes, Hom.
3. "a fishing-rod", Od.:—also "a limed twig", for catching birds, Ar.
4. "a spear-staff or shaft", Xen.
5. "a staff of office", like the earlier σκῆπτρον, Pind.
6. "the wand borne by the ῥαψῳδός:" hence, κατὰ ῥάβδον ἐπέων according to "the measure" of his (Homer's) verses, Pind.
7. "a rod for chastisement", Plat.; αἱ ῥάβδοι the "fasces" of the Roman lictors, Plut.
II. "a stripe or strip", Il.