(staf, stäf) noun plural staves (stāvz) or staffs for defs. 1–3, staffs for defs. 4–6.
1. A stick or piece of wood carried for some special purpose, as an aid in walking or climbing, or as a cudgel or weapon, or as an emblem of authority.
2. A shaft or pole that forms a support or handle: the staff of a spear; a flagstaff.
3. A stick used in measuring or testing, as a surveyors' leveling rod.
4. Mil. a A body of officers not having command but attached in an executive or advisory capacity to an army or navy unit as assistants to the officer in command. The central body is known as the general staff. b The personnel of a military establishment, as the officers in charge of construction, ordnance, repairs, equipment, provisions, medicine and surgery, the paymasters, and engineers.
5. A body of persons associated in carrying out some special enterprise under the supervision of a manager or chief: the editorial staff of a newspaper.
6. Music The combined lines and spaces used to represent the pitches of tones. The staff has always five long horizontal lines and the accompanying long spaces, but is enlarged as the occasion may require, by short lines above or below and the short spaces they bring. See synonyms under STICK.
—v.t. To provide (an office, etc.) with a staff: to staff a management group. [OE stœf stick]

(staf, stäf) noun
A composition of plaster, fiber, etc., for temporary buildings, statues, etc. [Prob. <G staffieren fill, decorate]