n. & v.
n. 1 the remnant of a pencil or cigarette etc. after use. 2 the counterfoil of a cheque or receipt etc. 3 a stunted tail etc. 4 the stump of a tree, tooth, etc. 5 (attrib.) going only part of the way through (stub-mortise; stub-tenon).
v.tr. (stubbed, stubbing) 1 strike (one's toe) against something. 2 (usu. foll. by out) extinguish (a lighted cigarette) by pressing the lighted end against something. 3 (foll. by up) grub up by the roots. 4 clear (land) of stubs. stub-axle an axle supporting only one wheel of a pair.
[ OE stub, stubb f. Gmc ]