stalk

stalk

stalk¹ [stôk]

vi.

[ME stalken < OE stealcian (in comp.) < stealc, high, steep < IE * stelg- < base * stel-, to place, set up > STILL¹, Gr stellein]

1.

a) to walk in a stiff, haughty, or grim manner

b) to advance or spread grimly [plague stalks across the land]

2. to pursue or approach game, an enemy, etc. stealthily, as from cover

3. Obs. to walk or move along stealthily or furtively

vt.

1. to pursue or approach (game, prey, etc.) stealthily

2. to stalk through [terror stalked the streets]

3. to follow or pursue (another person) persistently in a harassing and, typically, obsessive way

n.

1. a slow, stiff, haughty, or grim stride

2. the act of stalking game, an enemy, etc.

stalker

n.

stalking

n.

stalk² [stôk]

n.

[ME stalke, akin to OE stealc, high, steep < IE * stelg- < base * stel-: see STILL¹]

1. any stem or stemlike part, as a slender rod, shaft, or support

2. Bot.

a) the main stem or axis of a plant

b) a lengthened part of a plant on which an organ grows or is supported, as the petiole of a leaf, the peduncle of a flower, etc.

3. Zool.

a) a lengthened support for an animal organ

b) a similar structure supporting a whole animal body, as the peduncle of a goose barnacle

stalked

adj.

stalkless

adj.