stump
noun
- the lower end of a tree or plant remaining in the ground after most of the stem or trunk has been cut off
- anything like a stump; specif.,
- the part of a limb or tooth left after the rest has been cut off, broken off, etc.
- the part of anything left after the main part is gone; butt; stub: the stump of a pencil
- ☆ the place where a political speech is made; political rostrum: a figurative usage
- the sound of a heavy, clumsy, tramping step
- such a step
- a pointed roll of leather or paper used for shading drawings in charcoal, pencil, crayon, pastel, etc.
- Slang the legs
- Cricket any of the three upright sticks of a wicket
transitive verb
- to reduce to a stump; lop
- to remove stumps from (land)
- ☆ to travel over (a district), making political speeches; canvass
- to tone down or soften with a stump (sense )
- Informal to stub (one's toes, etc.)
- ☆ Informal to puzzle, perplex, or baffle
- 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
- to walk with a heavy, clumsy, thumping step, as with a wooden leg
- ☆ to travel about, making political speeches
See stump in American Heritage Dictionary 4
stump
noun- The part of a tree trunk left protruding from the ground after the tree has fallen or has been felled.
- A part, as of a branch, limb, or tooth, remaining after the main part has been cut away, broken off, or worn down.
a. stumps Informal The legs.
b. An artificial leg.
- A short, thickset person.
- A heavy footfall.
- A place or an occasion used for political or campaign oratory: candidates out on the stump.
- 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.
- Sports Any of the three upright sticks in a cricket wicket.
verb stumped,
stump·ing,
stumps verb, transitive- To reduce to a stump.
- To clear stumps from: stump a field.
- To stub (a toe or foot).
- To walk over heavily or clumsily.
- To traverse (a district or region) making political speeches.
- To shade (a drawing) with a stump.
- To challenge (someone); dare.
- To cause to be at a loss; baffle: stumped the teacher with a question.
verb, intransitive- To walk heavily or clumsily.
- To go about making political speeches.
Origin: Middle English stumpe, possibly from Middle Low German stump.
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