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DictionarytruncheonShort club
noun

truncheon

TRUN-chun/ˈtrʌntʃən/

A short, heavy club used as a weapon, especially by police.

The wooden truncheon has a rounded end and a simple handgrip.

A plain short heavy wooden truncheon with rounded end and simple handgrip, isolated object resting horizontally; no action or target.
Etymology
truncheonOld Frenchpiece cut off, thick stick, stump

Old French tronchon meant a cut-off piece or thick stick. That concrete sense carries into the weapon: a short, stout piece of wood used as a club.

In context

Shakespeare Network22:35
Within his truncheon's length; whilst they, distilled Almost to jelly with the act of fear
Hamlet - Kenneth Branagh - Shakespeare - 1992 - Multiple Subtitles - HD Restored Edition - 4K

More examples

  • The police officer carries a truncheon on his belt.
  • The museum displays wooden truncheons once used by city police.
  • The guard raises his truncheon but does not strike.

Forms

truncheon · truncheons

Similar words

baton
The more usual American term for a police club.
cudgel
A thick, heavy club without a specifically police association.
club
A broader term for a heavy stick used as a weapon.