n.
- the part of a tree trunk left projecting from the ground after the rest has fallen or been felled.
- a projecting remnant of something worn away or cut or broken off.
- Cricket each of the three upright pieces of wood which form a wicket.
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(stumps)
informal close of play.
- a cylinder with conical ends made of rolled paper or other soft material, used in art for softening or blending pencil or crayon marks.
- chiefly N. Amer. used in relation to political campaigning:
a politician on the stump.
v.
- informal baffle or puzzle greatly.
- Cricket (of a wicketkeeper) dismiss (a batsman) by dislodging the bails with the ball while the batsman is out of the crease but not running.
- walk stiffly and noisily.
-
(stump something up or stump up)
Brit. informal pay a sum of money.
- N. Amer. travel around (a district) making political speeches.
- Art use a stump on (a drawing, line, etc.).
Phrase
- up a stump
N. Amer. informal in difficulties.
Etymology
ME: from Mid. Low Ger. stump(e) or MDu. stomp; sense 5 of the noun refers to the use of a tree stump as a platform for a speaker.