Mace, n. [OF. mace, F. masse, from (assumed) L. matea, of which the dim. mateola a kind of mallet or beetle, is found.] 1. A heavy staff or club of metal; a spiked club; — used as weapon in war before the general use of firearms, especially in the Middle Ages, for breaking metal armor. Chaucer.
Death with his mace petrific... smote. Milton.
2. Hence: A staff borne by, or carried before, a magistrate as an ensign of his authority. “Swayed the royal mace.” Wordsworth.
3. An officer who carries a mace as an emblem of authority. Macaulay.
4. A knobbed mallet used by curriers in dressing leather to make it supple.
5. (Billiards) A rod for playing billiards, having one end suited to resting on the table and pushed with one hand.
Mace bearer, an officer who carries a mace before persons in authority.