stick

stick [stik]

n.

[ME stikke < OE sticca, akin to Du stek, ON stik < IE base * steig-, a point > STAKE, Frank * stakka, Gr stigma, L instigare, INSTIGATE]

1. a long, usually slender piece of wood; specif.,

a) a twig or small branch broken off or cut off, esp. a dead and dry one

b) a tree branch of any size, used for fuel, etc.

c) a long, slender, and usually tapering piece of wood shaped for a specific purpose, as a wand, staff, club, baton, cane, rod, etc.

2. a stalk, as of celery

3. something shaped like a stick; sticklike piece [a stick of chewing gum]

4. a separate item; article [every stick of furniture]

5. an implement used for striking a ball, puck, etc. [a hockey stick]

6. something made of sticks, as a racing hurdle

7. a sticking, as with a pointed weapon; stab

8. anything, as a threat, used in compelling another

9. short for STICK SHIFT

10. a number of bombs, parachutists, etc. dropped from the air in such a way as to fall in a line across a target area

11. Archaic a stoppage, delay, or obstacle

12. Informal a dull, stupid, or spiritless person

☆ 13. Slang a marijuana cigarette

14. Aeron. JOYSTICK (sense 1)

15. Naut. a mast or a part of a mast

16. Printing a composing stick or its contents

vt.

stuck or, for vt. 9, sticked, sticking [combination of ME steken, to prick, fasten (< OE stecan) & ME stikien < OE stician, to stick, stab, prick: both akin to the n.]

1. to pierce or puncture, as with a pointed instrument

2. to kill by piercing; stab

3. to pierce something with (a knife, pin, etc.)

4. to thrust or push (in, into, out, etc.) [to stick one's finger into a hole]

5. to set with piercing objects [a cushion stuck with pins]

6.

a) to fasten or attach as by gluing, pinning, etc. [to stick a poster on a wall]

b) to decorate with things fastened in this way

c) to transfix or impale

d) to impale (insect specimens, etc.), as on a pin, and mount for exhibit

7. to obstruct, entangle, bog down, etc.; also, to detain, delay, etc.: usually used in the passive [the wheels were stuck; we were stuck in town]

8. [< STICK the n.]

a) to prop (a vine, etc.) with a stick or sticks

b) Printing to set type in a composing stick

9. Informal to place; put; set

10. Informal to make sticky by smearing

11. Informal to puzzle; baffle [to be stuck by a question]

12. Slang

a) to make pay, often exorbitantly

b) to impose a disagreeable task, burden, expense, etc. upon

c) to cheat or defraud

13. [Informal, Chiefly Brit.] to endure or tolerate

vi.

1. to be or remain fixed or embedded by a pointed end, as a nail, etc.

2. to be or remain attached by adhesion; adhere; cleave

3.

a) to remain in the same place; stay; abide [they stick at home]

b) to remain fixed in the memory

c) to remain in effect [to make the charges stick]

4. to remain in close association; be fixed; cling [friends stick together; the nickname stuck]

5. to keep close [to stick to a trail]

6. to persevere; persist [to stick at a job]

7. to remain firm and resolute; endure [they stuck through thick and thin]

8. to become fixed, blocked, lodged, etc. as by an obstacle; specif.,

a) to become embedded and immovable [a shoe stuck in the mud]

b) to become unworkable; jam [the gears stuck]

c) to become stopped or delayed; come to a standstill [a bill stuck in committee]

9. to be puzzled

10. to be reluctant; hesitate; scruple [a person who will stick at nothing]

11. to protrude, project, or extend (out, up, through, etc.)

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☆ on the stick

Slang alert, efficient, etc.

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stick around

Slang to stay near at hand; not go away

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stick by or stick to

to remain faithful or loyal to

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stick it out

Slang to carry on or endure something until it is ended

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stick it to someone Slang

to harshly criticize, punish, or retaliate against someone

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☆ stick to someone's ribs

to be nourishing and satisfying: said of food

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stick up

Slang to commit armed robbery upon

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stick up for

Informal to support; uphold; defend

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☆ the sticks

Informal the rural districts; hinterland

SYN.- STICK is the simple, general term here, implying attachment by gluing or fastening together in any way, by close association, etc. [to stick a stamp on a letter, to stick to a subject ]; ADHERE implies firm attachment and, of persons, denotes voluntary allegiance or devotion as to an idea, cause, or leader [to adhere to a policy ]; COHERE implies such close sticking together of parts as to form a single mass [glue made the particles of sawdust cohere]; CLING implies attachment by embracing, entwining, or grasping with the arms, tendrils, etc. [a vine clinging to the trellis ]; CLEAVE² is a poetic or lofty term implying a very close, firm attachment [my tongue cleaved to the roof of my mouth; Ruth cleaved to Naomi ] –ANT. PART², DETACH, SEPARATE