from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Stalk \Stalk\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Stalked} (st[add]kt); p. pr.
& vb. n. {Stalking}.] [AS. staelcan, stealcian to go slowly;
cf. stealc high, elevated, Dan. stalke to stalk; probably
akin to 1st stalk.]
1. To walk slowly and cautiously; to walk in a stealthy,
noiseless manner; -- sometimes used with a reflexive
pronoun. --Shak.
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Into the chamber he stalked him full still.
--Chaucer.
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[Bertran] stalks close behind her, like a witch's
fiend,
Pressing to be employed. --Dryden.
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2. To walk behind something as a screen, for the purpose of
approaching game; to proceed under cover.
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The king . . . crept under the shoulder of his led
horse; . . . "I must stalk," said he. --Bacon.
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One underneath his horse, to get a shoot doth stalk.
--Drayton.
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3. To walk with high and proud steps; -- usually implying the
affectation of dignity, and indicating dislike. The word
is used, however, especially by the poets, to express
dignity of step.
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With manly mien he stalked along the ground.
--Dryden.
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Then stalking through the deep,
He fords the ocean. --Addison.
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I forbear myself from entering the lists in which he
has long stalked alone and unchallenged. --Merivale.
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