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.