Etymology: Middle English stok, from Old English stocc; akin to Old High German stoc stick
Date: before 12th century
1 aarchaic:stumpbarchaic: a log or block of wood c (1)archaic: something without life or consciousness (2): a dull, stupid, or lifeless person 2: a supporting framework or structure: as aplural: the frame or timbers holding a ship during construction bplural: a device for publicly punishing offenders consisting of a wooden frame with holes in which the feet or feet and hands can be locked c (1): the wooden part by which a shoulder arm is held during firing (2): the butt of an implement (as a whip or fishing rod) (3):bitstock, braced: a long beam on a field gun forming the third support point in firing 3 a: the main stem of a plant :trunkb (1): a plant or plant part united with a scion in grafting and supplying mostly underground parts to a graft (2): a plant from which slips or cuttings are taken 4: the crosspiece of an anchor — see anchor illustration 5 a: the original (as a person, race, or language) from which others derive :sourceb (1): the descendants of one individual :family, lineage<of European stock>(2): a compound organism c: an infraspecific group usually having unity of descent d (1): a related group of languages (2): a language family 6 a (1): the equipment, materials, or supplies of an establishment (2):livestockb: a store or supply accumulated or available; especially: the inventory of goods of a merchant or manufacturer 7 aarchaic: a supply of capital :funds; especially: money or capital invested or available for investment or trading b (1): the part of a tally formerly given to the creditor in a transaction (2): a debt or fund due (as from a government) for money loaned at interest; alsoBritish: capital or a debt or fund bearing interest in perpetuity and not ordinarily redeemable as to principal c (1): the proprietorship element in a corporation usually divided into shares and represented by transferable certificates (2): a portion of such stock of one or more companies (3):stock certificate 8: any of a genus (Matthiola) of Old World herbs or subshrubs of the mustard family with racemes of usually sweet-scented flowers 9: a wide band or scarf worn about the neck especially by some clergymen 10 a: liquid in which meat, fish, or vegetables have been simmered that is used as a basis for soup, gravy, or sauce b (1): raw material from which something is manufactured (2): paper used for printing c: the portion of a pack of cards not distributed to the players at the beginning of a game 11 a (1): an estimate or evaluation of something <take stock of the situation>(2): the estimation in which someone or something is held <his stock with the electorate remains high — Newsweek>b: confidence or faith placed in someone or something <put little stock in his testimony> 12: the production and presentation of plays by a stock company 13:stock car 1
— in stock: on hand : in the store and ready for delivery
— out of stock: having no more on hand : completely sold out