Baton

Baton (heraldry)

In heraldry, the baton is an ordinary in the shape of a thin diagonal line starting in the dexter chief, but not reaching the edges of the device. It is a diminutive of the bend. If the baton starts in the sinister chief, it is called a baton sinister.

By the 17th century a baton sinister was also used to indicate illegitimacy (cf. abatement). This usage is also mentioned as being used in Burgundy in 1463.

Baton (combat)

In fencing, a baton is a walking stick that can be used as a defensive weapon.