stump  (stŭmp) 
n. 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. stumps Informal The legs. 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.
v.
stumped, stump·ing, stumps
v.
tr.
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.
v.
intr.
To walk heavily or clumsily. To go about making political speeches.
[Middle English stumpe, possibly from Middle Low German stump.]
stump'er n., stump'i·ness n., stump'y adj. |
pi