I. ˈstȯl noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English steall; akin to Old High German stal place, stall and perhaps to Latin locus (Old Latin stlocus ) place
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : a compartment for a domestic animal in a stable or barn
b. : a space marked off for parking a motor vehicle
2.
a. : a seat in the chancel of a church with back and sides wholly or partly enclosed
b. : a church pew
c. chiefly British : a front orchestra seat in a theater — usually used in plural
3. : a booth, stand, or counter at which articles are displayed for sale
4. : a protective sheath for a finger or toe
5. : a small compartment
a shower stall
especially : one with a toilet or urinal
II. verb
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1. : to put into or keep in a stall
2. obsolete : install 1
3.
a. : to bring to a standstill : block ; especially : mire
b. : to cause (an engine) to stop usually inadvertently
c. : to cause (an aircraft or airfoil) to go into a stall
intransitive verb
1. : to come to a standstill (as from mired wheels or engine failure)
2. : to experience a stall in flying
III. noun
Date: 1916
: the condition of an airfoil or aircraft in which excessive angle of attack causes disruption of airflow with attendant loss of lift
IV. noun
Etymology: alteration of stale lure
Date: 1846
: a ruse to deceive or delay
V. verb
Etymology: stall (IV)
Date: 1903
intransitive verb
: to play for time : delay
transitive verb
: to hold off, divert, or delay by evasion or deception