Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Mace \Mace\, n. [OF. mace, F. masse, from (assumed) L. matea, of
   which the dim. mateola a kind of mallet or beetle, is found.]
   1. A heavy staff or club of metal; a spiked club; -- used as
      weapon in war before the general use of firearms,
      especially in the Middle Ages, for breaking metal armor.
      --Chaucer.

            Death with his mace petrific . . . smote. --Milton.

   2. Hence: A staff borne by, or carried before, a magistrate
      as an ensign of his authority. ``Swayed the royal mace.''
      --Wordsworth.

   3. An officer who carries a mace as an emblem of authority.
      --Macaulay.

   4. A knobbed mallet used by curriers in dressing leather to
      make it supple.

   5. (Billiards) A rod for playing billiards, having one end
      suited to resting on the table and pushed with one hand.

   {Mace bearer}, an officer who carries a mace before person in
      authority.