From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids
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 (also called a billy club, nightstick, or riot stick), a type of striking/parrying weapon typically used by police, military or security personnel
- Baton (symbol), a symbolic attribute of military or other office
- A baton is used in heraldry as a mark of cadency.
- Conductors use light-weight batons for directing an orchestra, choir or mixed performers
- Batons are carried by runners in a Relay race
- Batons are light metal rods that are used for keeping time, twirling, and juggling in marching band and parade performances
- The center stick of a set of Devil sticks, manipulated by jugglers
- Baton also refers to movable horizontal pipes hung in a theatre from which lights or scenery are hung
Other users of the word Baton include:
- BATON is the name of a classified encryption algorithm.
- Baton Broadcasting, a Canadian broadcaster, now part of Bell Globemedia
- Baton Broadcast System, a defunct television system owned by Baton Broadcasting
- Baton Rouge, the capital city of Louisiana, USA
Baton may also refer to one of several people:
- Baton (Bato) was an Illyrian given name for males
- Baton was the name of a Dardanian king in the 4th century BC
- Baton from Pannonia was one of three leaders of the Illyrian uprising against the Romans in Pannonia and Dalmatia in 6 AD
- Baton from Dalmatia was one of three leaders of the Illyrian uprising against the Romans in Dalmatia and Pannonia in 6 AD.
