staff — the employees of a particular organization
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: the employees of a particular organization
Pronunciation (IPA): /stæf/
Example Sentences
- The school staff decided to wear funny costumes for Halloween.
- We need to staff the new branch with experienced employees.
- The restaurant staff sang happy birthday so loudly that the whole street could hear.
staff
NOUN[/stæf/]
the employees of a particular organization
The hotel staff greets every guest with a warm smile at the front desk.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word originates from Old English 'stæf', which literally meant 'stick' or 'walking staff'. The sense evolved metaphorically to denote a group of people who support an organization, likening them to the supportive role of a physical staff.
Breakdown
stæf (Old English: stick, rod) → staff (employees who support an organization). The semantic shift reflects the metaphorical extension from physical support to organizational support.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The school staff decided to wear funny costumes for Halloween.”
“We need to staff the new branch with experienced employees.”
“The restaurant staff sang happy birthday so loudly that the whole street could hear.”
“The hospital is looking for qualified nursing staff.”
📚Related Words
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