n.1 either of a pair of poles with supports for the feet enabling the user to walk at a distance above the ground.
2 each of a set of piles or posts supporting a building etc.
3 a any wading bird of the genus Himantopus with long legs. b (in comb.) denoting a long-legged kind of bird (stilt-petrel).
4 a three-legged support for ceramic ware in a kiln.
Phrases and idioms:
on stilts 1 supported by stilts.
2 bombastic, stilted.
Derivatives:
stiltless adj.
Etymology: ME & LG stilte f. Gmc