Etymology: Middle English stik, from Old English sticca; akin to Old Norse stik stick, Old English stician to stick
Date: before 12th century
1: a woody piece or part of a tree or shrub: as a: a usually dry or dead severed shoot, twig, or slender branch b: a cut or broken branch or piece of wood gathered for fuel or construction material 2 a: a long slender piece of wood or metal: as (1): a club or staff used as a weapon (2):walking stickb: an implement used for striking or propelling an object in a game c: something used to force compliance d: a baton symbolizing an office or dignity; also: a person entitled to bear such a baton 3: a piece of the materials composing something (as a building) 4: any of various implements resembling a stick in shape, origin, or use: as a:composing stickb: an airplane lever operating the elevators and ailerons c: the gearshift lever of an automobile 5: something prepared (as by cutting, molding, or rolling) in a relatively long and slender often cylindrical form <a stick of candy><a stick of butter> 6 a:person, chapb: a dull, inert, stiff, or spiritless person 7plural: remote usually rural districts regarded especially as backward, dull, or unsophisticated :boondocks 8: an herbaceous stalk resembling a woody stick <celery sticks> 9:1mast 1; also:1yard 4 10: a piece of furniture 11 a: a number of bombs arranged for release from a bombing plane in a series across a target b: a number of parachutists dropping together 12slang: a marijuana cigarette 13 a: punishment or the threat of punishment used to force compliance or cooperation <choosing between the carrot and the stick>bBritish:criticism, abuse