I. ˈstōnˌwȯl verb
Etymology: stone wall
intransitive verb
1. : to bat in cricket entirely or almost entirely defensively without trying to score runs
2. chiefly Britain : to engage in debate or use other parliamentary tactics for the purpose of consuming time and thus obstructing procedure or business : filibuster
is stonewalling for time in order to close the missile gap and … is actually opposed to negotiations — J.B.Reston
3. : to build or enclose an area with a stone wall
transitive verb
chiefly Britain : filibuster
stonewall debates … to postpone the voting stage — Sydney (Australia) Sunday Telegraph
• stone·wall·er -lə(r) noun -s Brit
II. intransitive verb
: to be uncooperative, obstructive, or evasive
the Kremlin will be tempted to stonewall … until after the election — Business Week
transitive verb
: to refuse to comply or cooperate with
intention to stonewall further requests for … evidence — Newsweek