Pl. (-staves), -staffs. [f. FLAG sb.4 + STAFF.] A pole or staff on which a flag is hung.
a. 1613. Overbury, Characters, Saylor, Wks. (1856), 76. He swarves up to his seat as to a saile-yard; and cannot sit unlesse he beare a flag-staffe.
1698. J. Fryer, A New Account of East-India and Persia, 82. We then came to Swally Marine, where were flying the several Colours of the Three Nations, English, French, and Dutch, on Flag-Staffs erected for that purpose, who here land and ship off all Goods, without molestation.
1706. Phillips (ed. Kersey), Flag-staves, the Staves which are set upon the Heads of the Top-gallant Masts, and serve to let fly, i. e. shew abroad the Flags.
1790. Beatson, Nav. & Mil. Mem., II. 166. Hoist a red flag on the flag-staff.
1848. Dickens, Dombey, ix. It began with the erection of flag staffs, as appurtenances to public-houses.
