The Collaborative International Dictionary
Black Rod \Black" Rod`\
the usher to the Chapter of the Garter, so called from the black rod which he carries. He is of the king's chamber, and also usher to the House of Lords. [Eng.]
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An usher in the legislature of British colonies.
--Cowell.Committed to the custody of the Black Rod.
--Macaulay.
Rod \Rod\, n. [The same word as rood. See Rood.]
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A straight and slender stick; a wand; hence, any slender bar, as of wood or metal (applied to various purposes). Specifically:
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An instrument of punishment or correction; figuratively, chastisement.
He that spareth his rod hateth his son.
--Prov. xiii. 24. A kind of sceptor, or badge of office; hence, figuratively, power; authority; tyranny; oppression. ``The rod, and bird of peace.''
--Shak.A support for a fishing line; a fish pole.
--Gay.(Mach. & Structure) A member used in tension, as for sustaining a suspended weight, or in tension and compression, as for transmitting reciprocating motion, etc.; a connecting bar.
An instrument for measuring.
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A measure of length containing sixteen and a half feet; -- called also perch, and pole.
Black rod. See in the Vocabulary.
Rods and cones (Anat.), the elongated cells or elements of the sensory layer of the retina, some of which are cylindrical, others somewhat conical.
Wiktionary
n. 1 Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod 2 An usher in the legislature of British colony.
Wikipedia
The Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, generally shortened to Black Rod, is an official in the parliaments of several Commonwealth countries. The position originates in the House of Lords of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.
In the United Kingdom, Black Rod is responsible for maintaining the buildings, services, and security of the Palace of Westminster.
Usage examples of "black rod".
She swung the looking glass up to her eye long enough to spot the woman holding a slim black rod that appeared to be perhaps a pace long.
A black rod no thicker than her little finger, a pace in length, stiff yet so flexible she thought she could have doubled it into a circle.
The other, the longest of the three, was a black rod with a suction pad at the end of it.
On the other side of the fountain, a slim, coppery-skinned woman in a pale cream Taraboner dress that would have made Rendra blush was just raising a fluted black rod a pace in length.
His face resembled an old boot, his hair was steel-gray, and a long black rod bristling with tiny spires and spikes that flashed with a spectrum of winking radiances was clutched in his left hand.
Shadow though he was, torn as he was, still he stood, and it seemed to me the black rod moved more slowly.