[stock] n [ME stok, fr. OE stocc; akin to OHG stoc stick] (bef. 12c) 1 a archaic: stump b archaic: a log or block of wood c (1) archaic: something without life or consciousness (2): a dull, stupid, or lifeless person
2: a supporting framework or structure: as a pl: the frame or timbers holding a ship during construction b pl: a device for publicly punishing offenders consisting of a wooden frame with holes in which the feet or feet and hands can be locked c (1): the wooden part by which a shoulder arm is held during firing (2): the butt of an implement (as a whip or fishing rod) (3): bitstock, brace d: a long beam on a field gun forming the third support point in firing 3 a: the main stem of a plant: trunk b (1): a plant or plant part united with a scion in grafting and supplying mostly underground parts to a graft (2): a plant from which slips or cuttings are taken
4: the crosspiece of an anchor--see anchor illustration
5. a: the original (as a person, race, or language) from which others derive: source b (1): the descendants of one individual: family, lineage (2): a compound organism--compare clone c: an infraspecific group usu. having unity of descent d (1): a related group of languages (2): a language family
6. a (1): the equipment, materials, or supplies of an establishment (2): livestock b: a store or supply accumulated; esp: the inventory of goods of a merchant or manufacturer
7. a archaic: a supply of capital: funds; esp: money or capital invested or available for investment or trading b (1): the part of a tally formerly given to the creditor in a transaction (2): a debt or fund due (as from a government) for money loaned at interest; also, Brit: capital or a debt or fund bearing interest in perpetuity and not ordinarily redeemable as to principal c (1): the proprietorship element in a corporation usu. divided into shares and represented by transferable certificates (2): a portion of such stock of one or more companies (3): stock certificate 8: any of a genus (Matthiola) of Old World herbs or subshrubs of the mustard family with racemes of usu. sweet-scented flowers 9: a wide band or scarf worn about the neck esp. by some clergymen
10. a: liquid in which meat, fish, or vegetables have been simmered that is used as a basis for soup, gravy, or sauce b (1): raw material from which something is manufactured (2): paper used for printing c: the portion of a pack of cards not distributed to the players at the beginning of a game 11 a (1): an estimate or evaluation of somet : on hand: in the store and ready for delivery -- out of stock : having no more on hand: completely sold out
[2]stock vt (15c) 1: to make (a domestic animal) pregnant
2: to fit to or with a stock
3: to provide with stock or a stock: supply "~ a stream with trout"
4: to procure or keep a stock of
5: to graze (livestock) on land ~ vi 1: to send out new shoots
2: to put in stock or supplies "~ up on canned goods" [3]stock adj (1625) 1 a: kept regularly in stock "comes in ~ sizes" "a ~ model" b: commonly used or brought forward: standard "the ~ answer"
2. a: kept for breeding purposes: brood "a ~ mare" b: devoted to the breeding and rearing of livestock "a ~ farm" c: used or intended for livestock "a ~ train" d: used in herding livestock "a ~ horse" "a ~ dog"
3: of or relating to a stock company
4: employed in handling, checking, or taking care of the stock of merchandise on hand "a ~ clerk"