Badge

Badge (?), n. [LL. bagea, bagia, sign, prob. of German origin; cf. AS. beÁg, beÁh, bracelet, collar, crown, OS. bōg- in comp., AS. būgan to bow, bend, G. biegen. See Bow to bend.] 1. A distinctive mark, token, sign, or cognizance, worn on the person; as, the badge of a society; the badge of a policeman. "Tax gatherers, recognized by their official badges." Prescott.

2. Something characteristic; a mark; a token.

Sweet mercy is nobility's true badge.
Shak.

3. (Naut.) A carved ornament on the stern of a vessel, containing a window or the representation of one.

Badge (?), v. t. To mark or distinguish with a badge.