Definition
nounA distinctive mark, token, sign, emblem or cognizance, worn on one’s clothing, as an insignia of some rank, or of the membership of an organization.
nounA small nameplate, identifying the wearer, and often giving additional information.
Sentence Examples
Each boy student has a school badge on his cap.
I want your name and badge number.
She wore a badge saying ‘Vote for Coates’.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English badge, bagge, bage, bagy, from Anglo-Norman bage or Medieval Latin bagea, bagia (“sign, emblem”), of uncertain origin. Possibly derived from Medieval Latin baga (“ring”), from Old Saxon bāg, bōg (“ring, ornament”), from Proto-Germanic *baugaz (“ring, bracelet, armband”); or possibly the Anglo-Norman word is derived from an earlier, unattested English word (compare Old English bēag (“ring, bracelet, collar, crown”). Cognate with Scots bagie, badgie, bawgy (“badge”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Tax-gatherers, […]recognized by their official badges."
— 1843, William H[ickling] Prescott, History of the Conquest of Mexico, […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), New York, N.Y.: Harper and Brothers, […], →OCLC:
"Sweet mercy is nobility’s true badge."
— 1588-93, William Shakespeare, Titus Andronicus, act I, scene 2:
"That's why every badge back home wanted to nail him."
— 1995, Martin Scorsese, Casino, spoken by actor (Robert De Niro):
"Worden and James walk […] to the […] Courthouse […], where they badge their way past sheriff’s deputies and take the elevator to the third floor."
— 1981, David Simon, Homicide, →ISBN, page 118:
"And Patterson didn’t hear that Jack Egger, the studio’s director of security, said he’d seen John Orr badge his way through the pedestrian gate sometime before 4:00 pm, when the fire was still raging, […]"
— 2003, Joseph Wambaugh, Fire Lover, page 146: