stalk

¹stalk

noun \ˈstȯk\

Definition of STALK

1

: a slender upright object or supporting or connecting part; especially : peduncle

2

a : the main stem of an herbaceous plant often with its dependent parts

b : a part of a plant (as a petiole or stipe) that supports another

— stalked \ˈstȯkt\ adjective

— stalk·less \ˈstȯ-kləs\ adjective

— stalky \ˈstȯ-kē\ adjective

Origin of STALK

Middle English stalke; akin to Old English stela stalk, support

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Botany Terms

annual, burgeon, chloroplast, nomenclature, succulent, sylvan, xylem

Rhymes with STALK

auk, balk, calk, caulk, chalk, gawk, hawk, Koch, Sauk, squawk, talk, walk

²stalk

verb

Definition of STALK

intransitive verb

1

: to pursue quarry or prey stealthily

2

: to walk stiffly or haughtily

transitive verb

1

: to pursue by stalking

2

: to go through (an area) in search of prey or quarry <stalk the woods for deer>

3

: to pursue obsessively and to the point of harassment

— stalk·er noun

Examples of STALK

1. a movie about a detective being stalked by a killer
2. This is the time of year when hunters are stalking the woods for deer.
3. She called the police because her ex-boyfriend was stalking her.
4. She angrily stalked out of the room.

Origin of STALK

Middle English, from Old English bestealcian; akin to Old English stelan to steal — more at steal

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to STALK

Synonyms

chase, hunt

Related Words

capture, drag, net, snare, trap; dog, ferret, hawk, hound; course, pursue, run, run down, spoor, track, trail; gun (for), harpoon, kill, shoot; poach; cull

³stalk

noun

Definition of STALK

1

: the act of stalking

2

: a stalking gait

First Known Use of STALK

14th century

stalk

noun \ˈstȯk\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of STALK

: a slender supporting or connecting part : peduncle <the pituitary stalk>

—stalked \ˈstȯkt\ (audio pronunciation) adjective

—stalk·less adjective