stick

noun (1)

\ ˈstik

Definition of stick

(Entry 1 of 4)

1 : a woody piece or part of a tree or shrub: such 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

2a : a long slender piece of wood or metal: such 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 (such as a building)

4 : any of various implements resembling a stick in shape, origin, or use: such 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

6a : person, chap

b : a dull, inert, stiff, or spiritless person

7 sticks plural : remote usually rural districts regarded especially as backward, dull, or unsophisticated : boondocks

8 : an herbaceous stalk resembling a woody stick celery sticks

9 : mast entry 1 sense 1 also : yard entry 1 sense 4

10 : a piece of furniture

11a : 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

13a : punishment or the threat of punishment used to force compliance or cooperation choosing between the carrot and the stick

b British : criticism, abuse

stick

verb (1)

sticked; sticking; sticks

Definition of stick (Entry 2 of 4)

transitive verb

: to hit or propel (something, such as a hockey puck) with a stick

stick

verb (2)

stuck\ˈstək

\; sticking

Definition of stick (Entry 3 of 4)

transitive verb

1a : to pierce with something pointed : stab

b : to kill by piercing

2 : to push or thrust so as or as if to pierce

3a : to fasten by thrusting in

b : impale

c : push, thrust

4 : to put or set in a specified place or position

5 : to furnish with things fastened on by or as if by piercing

6 : to attach by or as if by causing to adhere to a surface

7a : to compel to pay especially by trickery got stuck with the bar bill

b : overcharge

8a : to halt the movement or action of

b : baffle, stump

9a : cheat, defraud

b : to saddle with something disadvantageous or disagreeable is still stuck with that lousy car

10 : to execute (a landing) flawlessly in gymnastics

intransitive verb

1 : to hold to something firmly by or as if by adhesion:

a : to become fixed in place by means of a pointed end

b : to become fast by or as if by miring or by gluing or plastering stuck in the mud

2a : to remain in a place, situation, or environment

b : to hold fast or adhere resolutely : cling she stuck to her story

c : to remain effective

d : to keep close in a chase or competition

3 : to become blocked, wedged, or jammed

4a : balk, scruple

b : to find oneself baffled

c : to be unable to proceed

5 : project, protrude

stick in one's craw

: to irritate, nag at, or obsess one

stick it to

: to treat harshly or unfairly

stick one's neck out

: to make oneself vulnerable by taking a risk

stick to one's guns

: to maintain one's position especially in face of opposition

stuck on

: infatuated with

stick

noun (2)

Definition of stick (Entry 4 of 4)

1 : a thrust with a pointed instrument : stab

2a : delay, stop

b : impediment

3 : adhesive quality or substance

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Choose the Right Synonym for stick

Verb (2)

stick, adhere, cohere, cling, cleave mean to become closely attached. stick implies attachment by affixing or by being glued together. couldn't get the label to stick adhere is often interchangeable with stick but sometimes implies a growing together. antibodies adhering to a virus cohere suggests a sticking together of parts so that they form a unified mass. eggs will make the mixture cohere cling implies attachment by hanging on with arms or tendrils. clinging to a capsized boat cleave stresses strength of attachment. the wet shirt cleaved to his back

First Known Use of stick

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1937, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

1637, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for stick

Noun (1)

Middle English stik, from Old English sticca; akin to Old Norse stik stick, Old English stician to stick

Verb (2)

Middle English stikken, from Old English stician; akin to Old High German sticken to prick, Latin instigare to urge on, goad, Greek stizein to tattoo

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