I. ˈstəbəl noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English stuble, stubbel, stouple, from Old French estuble, stuble, from Latin stupula stalk, straw, alteration of stipula — more at stipule
1.
a. stubbles plural : a stump of a cultivated plant (as wheat, corn, clover, beans, or grasses) left in the ground after cutting or harvest
the crisp fresh stubbles dotted with shocked-up wheat and oats — Anthony West
b. : such stumps left in a field or area
cattle are seen in the rice stubble during the fall and winter — American Guide Series: Louisiana
2. : the straw of grain or other stalks remaining after the harvest
3. : a rough surface or growth resembling stubble ; especially : a short growth of beard
the black unshaven stubble of his jaw — R.P.Warren
4. : short wool left on the sheep after shearing
leaves enough stubble to protect sheep from cold — advt
5. : a blunt bristle (as in some mutant of drosophilas)
II. transitive verb
( stubbled ; stubbled ; stubbling -b(ə)liŋ ; stubbles )
: to leave in stubble : cover with stubble
the stubbled prairies spread around her — Ethel Wilson
black whiskers stubbled the small chin — K.M.Dodson