STALE

I. adjective (~r; ~st) Etymology: Middle English, settled, clear (of ale), not fresh, from Anglo-French e~, probably from Middle Dutch stel old (of beer) Date: 15th century tasteless or unpalatable from age , tedious from familiarity , impaired in legal force or effect by reason of being allowed to rest without timely use, action, or demand , impaired in vigor or effectiveness, ~ly adverb ~ness noun II. verb (~d; staling) Date: 1599 transitive verb to make ~, to make common ; cheapen , intransitive verb to become ~, III. intransitive verb (~d; staling) Etymology: Middle English; akin to Middle Low German stallen to urinate, stal urine of horses Date: 15th century urinate , IV. noun Date: 1548 urine of a domestic animal (as a horse)