Main Entry: ¹stick

Pronunciation: \ˈstik\

Function: noun

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 stick b : 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 stick b : 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, chap b : a dull, inert, stiff, or spiritless person
7 plural : 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
12 slang : a marijuana cigarette
13 a : punishment or the threat of punishment used to force compliance or cooperation <choosing between the carrot and the stick> b British : criticism, abuse

— stick·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

[stick illustration]