stump

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

(noun)

An example of a stump is the bottom part of a plant or tree after most of the stem or trunk has been removed.
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.

See stump in Webster's New World College Dictionary

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.,
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
☆
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
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

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

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

Related Forms:

See stump in American Heritage Dictionary 4

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.