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stair·way noun : one or more flights of stairs with connecting landings

stair·well noun : a vertical shaft in which stairs are located

1stake noun 1 : a pointed piece of material (as of wood) driven into the ground as a marker or a support

2 : a post to which a person is bound for death by burning; also : execution by burning at the stake

3 : something that is ventured for gain or loss

4 : the prize in a contest

5 : an interest or share in an undertaking or enterprise

Synonyms

claim, interest, share—more at INTEREST

2stake verb staked; stak·ing 1 : to mark the limits of by or as if by stakes

2 : to tie to a stake

3 : to support or secure with stakes

4 : BET, WAGER

5 : to back financially

Synonyms

capitalize, endow, finance, fund, subsidize, underwrite—more at FINANCE

stake·out noun : a surveillance by police (as of a suspected criminal)

sta·lac·tite noun [ORIGIN: NL stalactites, fr. Gk stalaktos dripping, fr. stalassein to let drip]

: an icicle-shaped deposit hanging from the roof or sides of a cavern

sta·lag·mite noun [ORIGIN: NL stalagmites, fr. Gk stalagma drop or stalagmos dripping]

: a deposit resembling an inverted stalactite rising from the floor of a cavern

stale adjective stal·er; stal·est 1 : having lost good taste and quality from age <~ bread>

2 : used or heard so often as to be dull <~ news>

3 : not as strong or effective as before <~ from lack of practice>

— stale·ness noun

Synonyms

banal, commonplace, hackneyed, musty, stereotyped, threadbare, tired, trite; also canned, unimaginative, uninspired, unoriginal; normal, ordinary, rote, routine, standard, stock, typical, usual; boring, drab, dreary, dry, dull, flat, heavy, humdrum, jading, leaden, monotonous, pedestrian, ponderous, prosaic, tame, tedious, tiresome, tiring, uninteresting, vapid, wearisome, weary, wearying; corny, maudlin, mawkish, mushy, saccharine, sappy, schmaltzy, sentimental, sloppy, sugary

Antonyms

fresh, new, original

stale·mate noun : a drawn contest : DEADLOCK

— stalemate verb

Synonyms

deadlock, draw, halt, impasse, standoff, standstill, tie—more at IMPASSE

1stalk noun : a plant stem; also : any slender usu. upright supporting or connecting part

— stalked adjective

2stalk verb 1 : to pursue (game) stealthily

2 : to walk stiffly or haughtily

Synonyms

strut, swagger—more at STRUT

1stall noun 1 : a compartment in a stable or barn for one animal

2 : a booth or counter where articles may be displayed for sale

3 : a seat in a church choir; also : a church pew

4 chiefly British : a front orchestra seat in a theater

2stall verb : to bring or come to a standstill unintentionally <~ an engine>

Synonyms

arrest, catch, check, draw up, fetch up, halt, hold up, stay, still, stop—more at HALT

break, break down, conk, crash, cut out, die, fail—more at FAIL

3stall noun : the condition of an airfoil or aircraft in which lift is lost and the airfoil or aircraft tends to drop

4stall noun [ORIGIN: alter. of stale lure]

: a ruse to deceive or delay

5stall verb : to hold off, divert, or delay by evasion or deception

stal·lion noun : a male horse

stal·wart adjective : marked by outstanding strength and vigor of body, mind, or spirit : STRONG; also : VALIANT

Synonyms

brave, courageous, dauntless, doughty, fearless, gallant, greathearted, heroic, intrepid, lionhearted, manful, stout, undaunted, valiant, valorous—more at BRAVE

brawny, muscular, rugged, sinewy, stout, strong—more at STRONG

sta·men noun : an organ of a flower that produces pollen

stam·i·na noun [ORIGIN: L, pl. of stamen warp, thread of life spun by the Fates]

: VIGOR, ENDURANCE

sta·mi·nate adjective 1 : having or producing stamens

2 : having stamens but no pistils

stam·mer verb : to hesitate or stumble in speaking

— stammer noun

— stam·mer·er noun

1stamp verb 1 : to pound or crush with a heavy instrument

2 : to strike or beat with the bottom of the foot

3 : IMPRESS, IMPRINT

4 : to cut out or indent with a stamp or