stump

noun (1)

\ ˈstəmp

How to pronounce stump (audio)

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Definition of stump

(Entry 1 of 4)

1a : 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

stump

verb (1)

stumped; stumping; stumps

Definition of stump (Entry 2 of 4)

transitive verb

1 : to reduce to a stump : trim

2a : 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

5a : to walk over heavily or clumsily

b : stub sense 3

intransitive verb

1 : to walk heavily or clumsily

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

stump

noun (2)

Definition of stump (Entry 3 of 4)

: 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

stump

verb (2)

stumped; stumping; stumps

Definition of stump (Entry 4 of 4)

transitive verb

: to tone or treat (a drawing) with a stump

First Known Use of stump

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

1581, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (2)

1778, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1807, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for stump

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

French or Dutch dialect; French estompe, from Dutch dialect stomp, literally, stub, from Middle Dutch; akin to Old High German stumpf stump

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Time Traveler for stump

The first known use of stump was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for stump

stump

noun

\ ˈstəmp

\

Kids Definition of stump

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : the part of a tree that remains in the ground after the tree is cut down

2 : the part of something (as a tooth or a pencil) that remains after the rest has been removed, lost, or worn away : stub

stump

verb

stumped; stumping

Kids Definition of stump (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : perplex, baffle My question stumped the experts.

2 : to walk or walk over heavily, stiffly, or clumsily as if with a wooden leg

stump

noun

\ ˈstəmp

\

Medical Definition of stump

1 : the basal portion of a bodily part (as a limb) remaining after the rest is removed

2 : a rudimentary or vestigial bodily part

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