/ stɔːl; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ C ] a table or small shop with an open front that people sell things from, especially at a market
SYN stand :
a market stall
—see also bookstall
2.
[ C ] a section inside a farm building that is large enough for one animal to be kept in
3.
[ C ] ( especially NAmE ) a small area in a room, surrounded by glass, walls, etc., that contains a shower or toilet
4.
the stalls (also the ˈorchestra stalls ) (both BrE ) [ pl. ] ( NAmE the orchestra [ sing. ]) the seats that are nearest to the stage in a theatre :
the front row of the stalls
5.
[ C , usually pl. ] the seats at the front of a church where the choir (= singers) and priests sit
6.
[ C , usually sing. ] a situation in which a vehicle's engine suddenly stops because it is not getting enough power
7.
[ C , usually sing. ] a situation in which an aircraft loses speed and goes steeply downwards
■ verb
1.
( of a vehicle or an engine ) to stop suddenly because of a lack of power or speed; to make a vehicle or engine do this :
[ v ]
The car stalled and refused to start again.
[ vn ]
I stalled the car three times during my driving test.
2.
[ v ] stall (on / over sth) to try to avoid doing sth or answering a question so that you have more time :
They are still stalling on the deal.
'What do you mean?' she asked, stalling for time .
3.
[ vn ] to make sb wait so that you have more time to do sth :
See if you can stall her while I finish searching her office.
4.
to stop sth from happening until a later date; to stop making progress :
[ vn ]
attempts to revive the stalled peace plan
[ v ]
Discussions have once again stalled.
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English steall stable or cattle shed , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch stal , also to stand . Early senses of the verb included reside, dwell and bring to a halt .