estafette

Es`ta*fet", Es`ta*fette", n. Etym: [F. estafette, cf. Sp. estafeta; fr. It. stafetta, fr. staffa stirrup, fr. OHG. stapho footstep, footprint, G. stapfe; akin to E. step.] Defn: A courier who conveys messages to another courier; a military courier sent from one part of an army to another.

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