■ noun
1》 the part of a tree trunk left projecting from the ground after the rest has fallen or been felled.
2》 a projecting remnant of something worn away or cut or broken off.
3》 Cricket each of the three upright pieces of wood which form a wicket.
↘( ~s ) informal close of play.
4》 a cylinder with conical ends made of rolled paper or other soft material, used in art for softening or blending pencil or crayon marks.
5》 chiefly N. Amer. used in relation to political campaigning: a politician on the ~.
■ verb
1》 informal baffle or puzzle greatly.
2》 Cricket (of a wicketkeeper) dismiss (a batsman) by dislodging the bails with the ball while the batsman is out of the crease but not running.
3》 walk stiffly and noisily.
4》 ( ~ something up or ~ up ) Brit. informal pay a sum of money.
5》 N. Amer. travel around (a district) making political speeches.
6》 Art use a ~ on (a drawing, line, etc.).
Phrases
up a ~ N. Amer. informal in difficulties.
Origin
ME: from Mid. Low Ger. ~(e) or MDu. stomp ; sense 5 of the noun refers to the use of a tree ~ as a platform for a speaker.