from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Stump \Stump\, n. [OE. stumpe, stompe; akin to D. stomp, G.
stumpf, Icel. stumpr, Dan. & Sw. stump, and perhaps also to
E. stamp.]
1. The part of a tree or plant remaining in the earth after
the stem or trunk is cut off; the stub.
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2. The part of a limb or other body remaining after a part is
amputated or destroyed; a fixed or rooted remnant; a stub;
as, the stump of a leg, a finger, a tooth, or a broom.
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3. pl. The legs; as, to stir one's stumps. [Slang]
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4. (Cricket) One of the three pointed rods stuck in the
ground to form a wicket and support the bails.
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5. A short, thick roll of leather or paper, cut to a point,
or any similar implement, used to rub down the lines of a
crayon or pencil drawing, in shading it, or for shading
drawings by producing tints and gradations from crayon,
etc., in powder.
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6. A pin in a tumbler lock which forms an obstruction to
throwing the bolt, except when the gates of the tumblers
are properly arranged, as by the key; a fence; also, a pin
or projection in a lock to form a guide for a movable
piece.
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{Leg stump} (Cricket), the stump nearest to the batsman.
{Off stump} (Cricket), the stump farthest from the batsman.
{Stump tracery} (Arch.), a term used to describe late German
Gothic tracery, in which the molded bar seems to pass
through itself in its convolutions, and is then cut off
short, so that a section of the molding is seen at the end
of each similar stump.
{To go on the stump}, or {To take the stump}, to engage in
making public addresses for electioneering purposes; -- a
phrase derived from the practice of using a stump for a
speaker's platform in newly-settled districts. Hence also
the phrases stump orator, stump speaker, stump speech,
stump oratory, etc. [Colloq. U.S.]
{on the stump} campaigning for public office; running for
election to office.
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