n. & v.
--n.
1. Chess a position counting as a draw, in which a player is not in check but cannot move except into check.
2 a deadlock or drawn contest.
--v.tr.
1. Chess bring (a player) to a stalemate.
2 bring to a standstill.
Etymology: obs. stale (f. AF estale f. estaler be placed: cf. STALE(1)) + MATE(2)