I. ˈstāl adjective
( stal·er ; stal·est )
Etymology: Middle English, settled, clear (of ale), not fresh, from Anglo-French estale, probably from Middle Dutch stel old (of beer)
Date: 15th century
1. : tasteless or unpalatable from age
stale bread
2. : tedious from familiarity
a stale routine
3. : impaired in legal force or effect by reason of being allowed to rest without timely use, action, or demand
a stale affidavit
a stale debt
4. : impaired in vigor or effectiveness
• stale·ly ˈstāl-lē adverb
• stale·ness noun
II. verb
( staled ; stal·ing )
Date: 1599
transitive verb
1. : to make stale
2. archaic : to make common : cheapen
intransitive verb
: to become stale
III. intransitive verb
( staled ; stal·ing )
Etymology: Middle English; akin to Middle Low German stallen to urinate, stal urine of horses
Date: 15th century
: urinate — used chiefly of camels and horses
IV. noun
Date: 1548
: urine of a domestic animal (as a horse)