stock

noun

1. the trunk of a tree
2. Archaic
   1. a tree stump
   2. a wooden block or log
3. 1. a blockhead
   2. anything lacking life, motion, or feeling
4. 1. a plant stem into which a graft is inserted
   2. a plant from which cuttings are taken
5. an underground plant stem; rhizome or rootstock
6. any of a number of plants of the crucifer family, as evening stock (Mathiola bicornis), or Virginian stock (Malcomia maritima)
7. 1. the first of a line of descent; original progenitor, as of a human line, or type, as of a group of animals or plants
   2. a line of descent; lineage
   3. a strain, race, or other related group of animals or plants
   4. an ethnic group or other major subdivision of human beings
   5. a group of related languages or families of languages
8. a supporting or main part, as the handle of an implement, weapon, etc., to which the working parts are attached; specif.,
   1. a bitstock or brace
   2. the butt or handle of a whip, fishing rod, etc.
   3. the block of a plane, in which the cutting blade is inserted
   4. the frame of a plow, to which the share, handles, etc. are attached
   5. the handle, usually wooden, to which the barrel of a rifle, shotgun, etc. is attached
9. diestock
10. a framework; specif.,
    1. a former instrument of punishment consisting of a heavy wooden frame with holes for confining the ankles and, sometimes, the wrists of an offender
    2. a frame of timbers supporting a ship during construction
    3. ☆ a frame in which an animal is held, as for shoeing
11. something out of which other things are made; specif.,
    1. raw material
    2. water in which meat, fish, etc. has been boiled, used as a base for soup or gravy
12. a specified kind of paper heavy stock
13. a store or supply; specif.,
    1. all the animals, equipment, etc. kept and used on a farm
    2. livestock
    3. the total amount of goods on hand in a store, etc.; inventory
    4. the portion of a pack of playing cards or dominoes not dealt out but left to be drawn from
14. 1. Archaic the part of a tally given to the creditor
    2. a debt represented by a tally or tallies
    3. the capital invested in a company or corporation through the buying of shares, each of which entitles the buyer to a share in the ownership and, usually, dividends, voting rights, etc.
    4. the proportionate share in the ownership held by an individual stockholder
    5. the shares of a particular company, industry, etc. or shares, collectively
    6. stock certificate
    7. Informal a part interest in something
15. a stock company (sense ), or its repertoire
16. a former type of large, wide, stiff cravat
17. stock car (sense )
18. Obsolete a stocking

Etymology: ME stocke < OE stocc, akin to Ger stock, Du stok, a stick < IE base *(s)teu-, to strike, chop > stump, stub

transitive verb

1. to provide with or attach to a stock to stock a firearm, plow, etc.
2. 1. to furnish (a farm) with stock or (a shop, etc.) with a stock
   2. to supply with to stock a pond with fish
3. to keep or put in a supply of, as for sale or for future use
4. ☆ to sow (land) with grass, clover, etc.

intransitive verb

1. to put forth new shoots: said of a plant
2. to put in a stock, or supply: often with up

adjective

1. continually kept in stock stock sizes
2. of the nature of something kept in stock; common, ordinary, hackneyed, or trite a stock excuse
3. that deals with stock a stock boy
4. Finance relating to stock or a stock company
5. 1. of or having to do with a theatrical stock company or its repertoire
   2. designating or of a character, as in a play or TV show, of a conventionalized type
6. for breeding a stock mare
7. of, or for the raising of, livestock stock farming