stale demand

Stale \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.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Not new; not freshly made; as, stale bread.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. Having lost the life or graces of youth; worn out;
      decayed. "A stale virgin." --Spectator.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. Worn out by use or familiarity; having lost its novelty
      and power of pleasing; trite; common. --Swift.
      [1913 Webster]

            Wit itself, if stale is less pleasing. --Grew.
      [1913 Webster]

            How weary, stale flat, and unprofitable
            Seem to me all the uses of this world! --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   {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.
      [1913 Webster]