stʌmp n. & v. --n. 1
the projecting
remnant of a
cut or
fallen tree. 2 the
similar remnant of
anything else (e.g. a
branch or limb) cut
off or
worn down. 3 Cricket
each of the
three uprights of a
wicket. 4 (in pl.) joc. the legs. 5 the stump of a tree, or
other place, used by an
orator to
address a
meeting. 6 a
cylinder of rolled
paper or other
material with conical ends
for softening pencil-marks
and other uses in
drawing. --v. 1 tr. (of a
question etc.) be
too hard for;
puzzle. 2 tr. (as stumped adj.) at a
loss; baffled. 3 tr. Cricket (esp. of a wicket-keeper) put (a batsman)
out by
touching the stumps with the ball
while the
batsman is out of the crease. 4 intr.
walk stiffly or noisily as on a
wooden leg. 5 tr. (also absol.) US
traverse (a district)
making political speeches. 6 tr.
use a stump on (a drawing, line, etc.). øon the stump colloq.
engaged in political speech-making or
agitation. stump up
Brit. colloq. pay or
produce (the
money required). up a stump US in difficulties. [ME stompe f. MDu.
stomp, OHG stumpf]
