WordWeb Online

1. Inadequate in number of workers or assistants etc.
   "overcrowded and understaffed hospitals";
   - short-handed, short-staffed, undermanned

1. Personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task
   "the hospital has an excellent nursing staff"; "the general relied on his staff to make routine decisions"
    
2. A strong rod or stick with a specialized utilitarian purpose
   "he walked with the help of a wooden staff"
    
3. The body of teachers and administrators at a school
   "the dean addressed the letter to the entire staff of the university";
   - faculty [N. Amer]
    
4. Building material consisting of plaster and hair; used to cover external surfaces of temporary structure (as at an exposition) or for decoration
    
5. A rod carried as a symbol
    
6. (music) the system of five horizontal lines on which the musical notes are written
   - stave

1. Provide with staff
   "This position is not always staffed"
    
2. Serve on the staff of
   "The two men staff the reception desk"

See also: inadequate, unequal

Type of: body, building material, cater, force, musical notation, personnel, ply, provide, serve, stick, supply, symbol

Part of: school

Encyclopedia: Staff, Pastoral