Flagstaves

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A long, vertical pole designed specifically for displaying flags or banners
2. a component used in the construction of flagpoles or similar structures
3. a term used in maritime contexts to refer to masts or poles that support flags on ships

Etymology: "Flagstaves" is the plural of "flagstaff," a compound of "flag" and "staff," the pole a flag is hung from. Its plural follows "staff," which takes the older form "staves," a plural that comes down from Old English "stæf" and that English still uses in some contexts (such as musical staves).