Etymology

From Middle Persian stpl ‎(stabr, “strong, firm”). Akin to Sanskrit स्तम्भ ‎(stambha, “pillar”) (and स्तभ्नाति ‎(stabhnāti, “he supports”)), Old Norse stafr ‎(“staff”), Old Church Slavonic стоборъ ‎(stoborŭ, “column”) and Ancient Greek ἀστεμφής ‎(astemphḗs, “unshaken”).