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1

stalk

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 (such as a petiole or stipe) that supports another
—

stalked

play \ˈstȯkt\ adjective
—

stalkless

play \ˈstȯk-ləs\ adjective
—

stalky

play \ˈstȯ-kē\ adjective

Origin and Etymology of stalk

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

Other Botany Terms

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

2

stalk

verb

Definition of stalk

stalked; stalking; stalks
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
—

stalker

noun

See stalk defined for English-language learners

Examples of stalk in a Sentence

  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 and Etymology of stalk

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

stalk Synonyms

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;

3

stalk

noun

Definition of stalk

1 : the act of stalking
2 : a stalking gait

First Known Use of stalk

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year
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STALK Defined for English Language Learners

stalk

verb

Definition of stalk for English Language Learners

  • : to follow (an animal or person that you are hunting or trying to capture) by moving slowly and quietly

  • : to go through (a place or area) while hunting

  • : to follow, watch, and bother (someone) constantly in a way that is frightening, dangerous, etc.

STALK Defined for Kids

1

stalk

noun \ ˈstȯk \

Definition of stalk for Students

1 : a plant stem especially when not woody
  • stalks of celery
2 : a slender supporting structure
  • the stalk of a goblet
—

stalked

\ˈstȯkt\ adjective
2

stalk

verb

Definition of stalk for Students

stalked; stalking
1 : to walk in a stiff or proud manner
  • He stalked angrily out of the room.
2 : to hunt slowly and quietly
  • A cat stalked the bird.
—

stalker

noun

Medical Dictionary

stalk

noun \ ˈstȯk \

medical Definition of stalk

: a slender supporting or connecting part : peduncle
  • the pituitary stalk
—

stalked

play \ˈstȯkt\ adjective
—

stalkless

adjective

Law Dictionary

stalk

transitive verb \ ˈstȯk \

legal Definition of stalk

: to subject to stalking
intransitive verb
: to engage in stalking
—

stalker

noun

Learn More about stalk

  1. See words that rhyme with stalk Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for stalk Spanish Central: Translation of stalk Nglish: Translation of stalk for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of stalk for Arabic speakers

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subject to rapid or unexpected change

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