Definition of "leading-staff" [leading-staff]

• Milit., the staff or baton of a field-marshal. (noun)
• A staff with a hook in one end, used to lead a bull by putting the hook through a ring in his nose. (noun)

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

• "It is true that, did they not propose themselves as fit to hold my leading-staff, little should I care for plucking the silken trappings off the puppets thou hast shown me in succession."
• "The designs purport to represent the Duke's battles and sieges; and everywhere we see the hero himself, as large as life, and as gorgeous in scarlet and gold as the holy sisters could make him, with a three-cornered hat and flowing wig, reining in his horse, and extending his leading-staff in the attitude of command."
• "My leading-staff were not worth a fool's bauble, had he escaped my notice --- and he had ere now tasted of our bounty, but that I have also marked his overweening and audacious presumption. ''"