stalk

stalk¹ Definition

stalk (stôk)

intransitive verb

1. to walk in a stiff, haughty, or grim manner
2. to advance or spread grimly plague stalks across the land
to pursue or approach game, an enemy, etc. stealthily, as from cover
Obsolete to walk or move along stealthily or furtively

Etymology: ME stalken < OE stealcian (in comp.) < stealc, high, steep < IE *stelg- < base *stel-, to place, set up > still, Gr stellein

transitive verb

to pursue or approach (game, prey, etc.) stealthily
to stalk through terror stalked the streets
to follow or pursue (another person) persistently in a harassing and, typically, obsessive way

noun

stalk¹ Related Forms

stalk′er noun stalk′·ing noun

stalk² Definition

stalk (stôk)

noun

any stem or stemlike part, as a slender rod, shaft, or support
Bot.
1. the main stem or axis of a plant
2. a lengthened part of a plant on which an organ grows or is supported, as the petiole of a leaf, the peduncle of a flower, etc.
Zool.
1. a lengthened support for an animal organ
2. a similar structure supporting a whole animal body, as the peduncle of a goose barnacle

Etymology: ME stalke, akin to OE stealc, high, steep < IE *stelg- < base *stel-: see still

stalk² Related Forms

stalked adjective stalk′·less adjective

stalk Synonyms

stalk Synonyms

approach stealthily, track, chase, shadow; see hunt 1, pursue 1.

stalk Usage Examples

Preposition: of

celery: Some purists claim it's tacky to garnish a Bloody Mary with a stalk of celery instead of the traditional swizzle stick.
polyp: The abnormal cells first invade the stalk of the polyp, then the underlying tissue of the colon to which the stalk is attached.

Object

corridor: But he does not yet seem to be stalking any town hall corridors.
deer: Let's face it, nobody really wants to stalk deer.
prey: Now and then there also small herons here, once more ridiculously tame, and only concerned about their chances of stalking prey.
carp: Whilst you can stalk carp on some waters most of the time, these conditions really make life a lot easier.

Converse of object

discard: Strain off the liquid from the casserole and discard the parsley stalks, orange zest and bay leaf.
chop: The combine picks up the rows and harvests the seed, chopping the stalks and spreading them as it goes along.
trim: Trim the stalks to roughly the same length to ensure even cooking and tie in bunches of 6-8 stems.

Adjective modifier

slender: The flowers grow on long, slender stalks, which makes it possible to make daisy chains.
pituitary: The portal vessels run down the pituitary stalk ( infundibulum ) to arrive at the pituitary gland.
flowering: The flowers are first produced on the bottom of the flowering stalk or raceme.
tall: Then she put the basket among the tall stalks of grass at the edge of the Nile River.
thick: They grow in closely packed rows on a tall, thick stalk, and have a pungent, slightly bitter flavor.

Noun used with modifier

yarrow: Now, we take the planets and stars as our language, rather than cards or yarrow stalks or lines on the hands.
celery: Meanwhile, chop 1 red onion, dice 3 ripe tomatoes and 2 celery stalks.
parsley: Strain off the liquid from the casserole and discard the parsley stalks, orange zest and bay leaf.
leaf: The leaf stalks are up to 5 cm long with 2 large gland s at the leaf end.
asparagus: Slice the washed asparagus stalks finely, setting the tips aside.
cabbage: This applies to soft vegetables as well as tougher wastes such as cabbage stalks or twiggy material.

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