night stick
Definition
Noun: A long, heavy stick carried by police officers, typically used as a weapon or for self-defense during night patrols. (Also spelled as "nightstick" or "baton".)
Usage Examples
- (The police officer used his baton for protection.)
- (Police carried heavy sticks as crowd-control tools.)
- (He was struck with a police baton.)
Advanced Usage
"to swing a night stick": to use the stick in a threatening or forceful manner.
- The guard swung his night stick to clear the path. (He moved the stick aggressively to make people move.)
"night stick charge": a legal charge related to the use of a police baton during an arrest.
- The officer faced a night stick charge for excessive force. (The officer was accused of using the baton improperly.)
Variants and Related Words
Nightstick (n): alternative spelling of "night stick".
- He kept his nightstick in a holster on his belt. (He carried the baton in a holder.)
Baton (n): a synonym for "night stick", often used in formal contexts.
- The police baton is a standard-issue tool. (The stick is a regular piece of equipment.)
Synonyms
- Baton: a short, heavy stick used as a weapon by police.
- Truncheon: a British term for a police baton.
- Club: a general term for a thick stick used as a weapon.
Related Idioms
"to carry a night stick": to be a police officer or security guard.
- He has carried a night stick for twenty years. (He has worked as a police officer for two decades.)
"under the night stick": under police control or threat of force.
- The crowd was kept under the night stick during the riot. (The crowd was controlled by police using batons.)