stump

The definition of a stump is the part remaining after the main part has been removed.

(noun)

  1. An example of a stump is the bottom part of a plant or tree after most of the stem or trunk has been removed.
  2. An example of a stump is the bottom of a tooth after the top has cracked or broken off.

Stump is defined as to confuse.

(verb)

An example of stump is asking someone the answer to a very difficult riddle.

YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2013 by LoveToKnow Corp.

See stump in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. the lower end of a tree or plant remaining in the ground after most of the stem or trunk has been cut off
  2. anything like a stump; specif.,
    1. the part of a limb or tooth left after the rest has been cut off, broken off, etc.
    2. the part of anything left after the main part is gone; butt; stub: the stump of a pencil
  3. Origin: from earlier use of tree stumps as speakers' platforms

    the place where a political speech is made; political rostrum: a figurative usage
    1. the sound of a heavy, clumsy, tramping step
    2. such a step
  4. a pointed roll of leather or paper used for shading drawings in charcoal, pencil, crayon, pastel, etc.
  5. Slang the legs
  6. Cricket any of the three upright sticks of a wicket

Origin: ME stumpfe, prob. < or akin to MLowG stump < IE *stomb- < base *steb(h)- > stamp, staff

transitive verb

  1. to reduce to a stump; lop
  2. to remove stumps from (land)
  3. ☆ to travel over (a district), making political speeches; canvass
  4. to tone down or soften with a stump (sense )
  5. Informal to stub (one's toes, etc.)
  6. Informal to puzzle, perplex, or baffle
  7. Cricket to put (a batsman) out by striking a bail from the wicket with the ball while the batsman is out of his or her ground: said of the wicketkeeper

intransitive verb

  1. to walk with a heavy, clumsy, thumping step, as with a wooden leg
  2. ☆ to travel about, making political speeches

Related Forms:

See stump in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. The part of a tree trunk left protruding from the ground after the tree has fallen or has been felled.
  2. A part, as of a branch, limb, or tooth, remaining after the main part has been cut away, broken off, or worn down.
  3. a. stumps Informal The legs.
    b. An artificial leg.
  4. A short, thickset person.
  5. A heavy footfall.
  6. A place or an occasion used for political or campaign oratory: candidates out on the stump.
  7. A short, pointed roll of leather or paper or wad of rubber for rubbing on a charcoal or pencil drawing to shade or soften it.
  8. Sports Any of the three upright sticks in a cricket wicket.
verb stumped, stump·ing, stumps
verb, transitive
  1. To reduce to a stump.
  2. To clear stumps from: stump a field.
  3. To stub (a toe or foot).
  4. To walk over heavily or clumsily.
  5. To traverse (a district or region) making political speeches.
  6. To shade (a drawing) with a stump.
  7. To challenge (someone); dare.
  8. To cause to be at a loss; baffle: stumped the teacher with a question.
verb, intransitive
  1. To walk heavily or clumsily.
  2. To go about making political speeches.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English stumpe

Origin: , possibly from Middle Low German stump

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Related Forms:

  • stumpˈer noun
  • stumpˈi·ness noun
  • stumpˈy adjective

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