GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 6 definitions

1.       
   Stale (stāl), n. [OE. stale, stele, AS. stael, stel; akin to LG. & D. steel, G. stiel; cf. L. stilus stake, stalk, stem, Gr. στελεόν a handle, and E. stall, stalk, n.] The stock or handle of anything; as, “the stale of a rake”. [Written also steal, stele, etc.]
   
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   But seeing the arrow's stale without, and that the head did go
   
   No further than it might be seen. Chapman.
   
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2.       
   Stale, a. [Akin to stale urine, and to stall, n.; probably from Low German or Scandinavian.  Cf. Stale, v. i.]
   1. Vapid or tasteless from age; having lost its life, spirit, and flavor, from being long kept; as, “stale beer”.
   
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   2. Not new; not freshly made; as, “stale bread”.
   
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   3. Having lost the life or graces of youth; worn out; decayed. “A stale virgin.”  Spectator.
   
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   4. Worn out by use or familiarity; having lost its novelty and power of pleasing; trite; common.  Swift.
   
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   Wit itself, if stale is less pleasing. Grew.
   
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   How weary, stale flat, and unprofitable
   
   Seem to me all the uses of this world! Shak.
   
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   Stale affidavit (Law), an affidavit held above a year. Craig. -- Stale demand (Law), a claim or demand which has not been pressed or demanded for a long time.
   
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3.       
   Stale, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Staled (stāld); p. pr. & vb. n. Staling.] To make vapid or tasteless; to destroy the life, beauty, or use of; to wear out.
   
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   Age can not wither her, nor custom stale
   
   Her infinite variety. Shak.
   
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4.       
   Stale, v. i. [Akin to D. & G. stallen, Dan. stalle, Sw. stalla, and E. stall a stable.  √ 163. See Stall, n., and cf. Stale, a.] To make water; to discharge urine; -- said especially of horses and cattle.  Hudibras.
   
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5.       
   Stale, n. [See Stale, a. & v. i.]
   1. That which is stale or worn out by long keeping, or by use. [Obs.]
   
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   2. A prostitute. [Obs.]  Shak.
   
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   3. Urine, esp. that of beasts. “Stale of horses.”  Shak.
   
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6.       
   Stale, n. [Cf. OF. estal place, position, abode, market, F. étal a butcher's stall, OHG. stal station, place, stable, G. stall (see Stall, n.); or from OE. stale theft, AS. stalu (see Steal, v. t.).]
   1. Something set, or offered to view, as an allurement to draw others to any place or purpose; a decoy; a stool pigeon. [Obs.]
   
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   Still, as he went, he crafty stales did lay. Spenser.
   
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   2. A stalking-horse. [Obs.]  B. Jonson.
   
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   3. (Chess) A stalemate. [Obs.]  Bacon.
   
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   4. A laughingstock; a dupe. [Obs.]  Shak.
   
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