Stump (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

noun
  1. the lower end of a tree or plant left after the main part falls or is cut off; a standing tree trunk from which the upper part and branches have been removed.
  2. the part of a limb of the body remaining after the rest has been cut off.
  3. a part of a broken or decayed tooth left in the gum.
  4. a short remnant, as of a candle; stub.
  5. any basal part remaining after the main or more important part has been removed.
  6. an artificial leg.
  7. legs: Stir your stumps and get out of here.
  8. a short, stocky person.
  9. a heavy step or uneven gait.
  10. the figurative place of political speechmaking: to go on the stump.
  11. a support for the front end of the arm of a chair, sofa, etc.
  12. a short, thick roll of paper, soft leather, or some similar material, usually having a blunt point, for rubbing a pencil, charcoal, or crayon drawing in order to achieve subtle gradations of tone in representing light and shade.
  13. each of the three upright sticks that, with the two bails laid on top of them, form a wicket.
verb (used with object)
  1. to reduce to a stump; truncate; lop.
  2. to clear of stumps, as land.
  3. to stub, as one's toe.
  4. to nonplus, embarrass, or render completely at a loss: This riddle stumps me.
  5. to challenge or dare to do something.
  6. to make political campaign speeches to or in: to stump a state.
  7. (of the wicketkeeper) to put (a batsman) out by knocking down a stump or by dislodging a bail with the ball held in the hand at a moment when the batsman is off his ground.
  8. to tone or modify (a crayon drawing, pencil rendering, etc.) by means of a stump.
verb (used without object)
  1. to walk heavily or clumsily, as if with a wooden leg: The captain stumped across the deck.
  2. to make political campaign speeches; electioneer.
Idioms
  1. at a loss; embarrassed; perplexed: Sociologists are up a stump over the sharp rise in juvenile delinquency and crime.
noun
  1. the base part of a tree trunk left standing after the tree has been felled or has fallen
  2. the part of something, such as a tooth, limb, or blade, that remains after a larger part has been removed
  3. informal, facetious
    • a leg
    • to move or become active
  4. any of three upright wooden sticks that, with two bails laid across them, form a wicket (the stumps)
  5. a short sharply-pointed stick of cork or rolled paper or leather, used in drawing and shading
  6. a heavy tread or the sound of heavy footsteps
  7. a platform used by an orator when addressing a meeting
  8. a pile used to support a house
  9. engaged in campaigning, esp by political speech-making
verb
  1. to stop, confuse, or puzzle
  2. to plod or trudge heavily
  3. (of a fielder, esp a wicketkeeper) to dismiss (a batsman) by breaking his wicket with the ball or with the ball in the hand while he is out of his crease
  4. to campaign or canvass (an area), esp by political speech-making
  5. to reduce to a stump; lop
  6. to clear (land) of stumps
Stump (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

More Definitions