stump

noun \ ˈstəmp \

Definition of stump

1 a : the basal portion of a bodily part remaining after the rest is removed

b : a rudimentary or vestigial bodily part

2 : the part of a plant and especially a tree remaining attached to the root after the trunk is cut

3 : a remaining part : stub

4 : one of the pointed rods stuck in the ground to form a cricket wicket

5 : a place or occasion for public speaking (as for a cause or candidate); also : the circuit followed by a maker of such speeches —used especially in the phrase on the stump

Origin and Etymology of stump

Middle English stumpe; akin to Old High German stumpf stump and perhaps to Middle English stampen to stamp

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Other Wood Production Terms

cord, lumber, punk

stump

verb

Definition of stump

stumped; stumping; stumps

transitive verb

1 : to reduce to a stump : trim

2 a : dare, challenge

b : to frustrate the progress or efforts of : baffle

3 : to clear (land) of stumps

4 : to travel over (a region) making political speeches or supporting a cause

5 a : to walk over heavily or clumsily

b : stub 3

intransitive verb

1 : to walk heavily or clumsily

2 : to go about making political speeches or supporting a cause

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stumper

noun

First Known Use of stump

1581

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

stump

noun

Definition of stump

: a short thick roll of leather, felt, or paper usually pointed at both ends and used for shading or blending a drawing in crayon, pencil, charcoal, pastel, or chalk