I. ˈstik noun
Etymology: Middle English stik, from Old English sticca; akin to Old Norse stik stick, Old English stician to stick
Date: before 12th century
1. : a woody piece or part of a tree or shrub: as
a. : a usually dry or dead severed shoot, twig, or slender branch
b. : a cut or broken branch or piece of wood gathered for fuel or construction material
2.
a. : a long slender piece of wood or metal: as
(1) : a club or staff used as a weapon
(2) : walking stick
b. : an implement used for striking or propelling an object in a game
c. : something used to force compliance
d. : a baton symbolizing an office or dignity ; also : a person entitled to bear such a baton
3. : a piece of the materials composing something (as a building)
4. : any of various implements resembling a stick in shape, origin, or use: as
a. : composing stick
b. : an airplane lever operating the elevators and ailerons
c. : the gearshift lever of an automobile
5. : something prepared (as by cutting, molding, or rolling) in a relatively long and slender often cylindrical form
a stick of candy
a stick of butter
6.
a. : person , chap
b. : a dull, inert, stiff, or spiritless person
7. plural : remote usually rural districts regarded especially as backward, dull, or unsophisticated : boondocks
8. : an herbaceous stalk resembling a woody stick
celery stick s
9. : mast I,1 ; also : yard I,4
10. : a piece of furniture
11.
a. : a number of bombs arranged for release from a bombing plane in a series across a target
b. : a number of parachutists dropping together
12. slang : a marijuana cigarette
13.
a. : punishment or the threat of punishment used to force compliance or cooperation
choosing between the carrot and the stick
b. British : criticism , abuse
• stick·like -ˌlīk adjective
[
stick 2b: a lacrosse, b ice hockey, c field hockey
]
II. transitive verb
Date: 1937
: to hit or propel (as a hockey puck) with a stick
III. verb
( stuck ˈstək ; stick·ing )
Etymology: Middle English stikken, from Old English stician; akin to Old High German sticken to prick, Latin in stigare to urge on, goad, Greek stizein to tattoo
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to pierce with something pointed : stab
b. : to kill by piercing
2. : to push or thrust so as or as if to pierce
3.
a. : to fasten by thrusting in
b. : impale
c. : push , thrust
4. : to put or set in a specified place or position
5. : to furnish with things fastened on by or as if by piercing
6. : to attach by or as if by causing to adhere to a surface
7.
a. : to compel to pay especially by trickery
got stuck with the bar bill
b. : overcharge
8.
a. : to halt the movement or action of
b. : baffle , stump
9.
a. : cheat , defraud
b. : to saddle with something disadvantageous or disagreeable
is still stuck with that lousy car
10. : to execute (a landing) flawlessly in gymnastics
intransitive verb
1. : to hold to something firmly by or as if by adhesion:
a. : to become fixed in place by means of a pointed end
b. : to become fast by or as if by miring or by gluing or plastering
stuck in the mud
2.
a. : to remain in a place, situation, or environment
b. : to hold fast or adhere resolutely : cling
she stuck to her story
c. : to remain effective
d. : to keep close in a chase or competition
3. : to become blocked, wedged, or jammed
4.
a. : balk , scruple
b. : to find oneself baffled
c. : to be unable to proceed
5. : project , protrude
•
- stick in one's craw
- stick it to
- stick one's neck out
- stick to one's guns
- stuck on
Synonyms:
stick , adhere , cohere , cling , cleave mean to become closely attached. stick implies attachment by affixing or by being glued together
couldn't get the label to stick
adhere is often interchangeable with stick but sometimes implies a growing together
antibodies adhering to a virus
cohere suggests a sticking together of parts so that they form a unified mass
eggs will make the mixture cohere
cling implies attachment by hanging on with arms or tendrils
clinging to a capsized boat
cleave stresses strength of attachment
the wet shirt cleaved to his back
IV. noun
Date: 1633
1. : a thrust with a pointed instrument : stab
2.
a. : delay , stop
b. : impediment
3. : adhesive quality or substance