[stawl] 
,| 1. | to delay, esp. by evasion or deception. |
| 2. | Sports. to prolong holding the ball as a tactic to prevent the opponent from scoring, as when one's team has the lead. Compare freeze (def. 31). |
| 3. | to delay or put off, esp. by evasion or deception (often fol. by off): He stalled the police for 15 minutes so his accomplice could get away. |
| 4. | a pretext, as a ruse, trick, or the like, used to delay or deceive. |
| 5. | Underworld Slang. the member of a pickpocket's team who distracts the victim long enough for the theft to take place. |
| 6. | Sports. slowdown (def. 3). |
