Stackage - Stagnantly

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Stackage (stăk�j), n. 1. Hay, grain, or the like, in stacks; things stacked. [R.]
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2. A tax on things stacked. [R.] Holinshed.
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Stacket (-ĕt), n. [Cf. F. estacade and E. stockade.] (Mil.) A stockade. [Scot.] Sir W. Scott.
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Stack-guard (-gärd), n. A covering or protection, as of canvas, for a stack.
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Stacking, a. & n. from .
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Coloq. Stacking band , Coloq. Stacking belt , a band or rope used in binding thatch or straw upon a stack. -- Coloq. Stacking stage , a stage used in building stacks.
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Stackstand (-stănd), n. A staging for supporting a stack of hay or grain; a staddle{2}; a rickstand.
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Stackyard (-yärd), n. A yard or inclosure for stacks of hay or grain. A. Smith.
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Stacte (stăkt�), n. [L., fr. Gr. stakth, strictly fem. of staktos oozing out in drops, fr. stazein to drop.] One of the sweet spices used by the ancient Jews in the preparation of incense. It was perhaps an oil or other form of myrrh or cinnamon, or a kind of storax. Ex. xxx. 34.
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Staddle (stădd'l), n. [AS. staðol, staðul, a foundation, firm seat; akin to E. stand. √163. See , v. i.] [Formerly written stadle.] 1. Anything which serves for support; a staff; a prop; a crutch; a cane.
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His weak steps governing
And aged limbs on cypress stadle stout. Spenser.
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2. The frame of a stack of hay or grain. [Eng.]
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3. A row of dried or drying hay, etc. [Eng.]
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4. A small tree of any kind, especially a forest tree.
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☞ In America, trees are called staddles from the time that they are three or four years old till they are six or eight inches in diameter, or more. This is also the sense in which the word is used by Bacon and Tusser.
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Staddle, v. t. 1. To leave the staddles, or saplings, of, as a wood when it is cut. [R.] Tusser.
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2. To form into staddles, as hay. [Eng.]
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Stade (stād), n. [Cf. F. stade.] A stadium. Donne.
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Stade, n. [Cf. G. gestade shore.] A landing place or wharf. Knight.
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Stadimeter (stȧdĭm�tẽr), n. [Stadium + -meter.] A horizontal graduated bar mounted on a staff, used as a stadium, or telemeter, for measuring distances.
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{ Stadia hairs or Stadia wires } (stādĭȧ hârz). (Surv.) In a theodolite, etc., horizontal cross wires or hairs equidistant from the central horizontal cross wire.
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Stadium (stādĭŭm), n.; pl. Stadia (stādĭȧ). [L., a stadium (in sense 1), from Gr. stadion.] 1. A Greek measure of length, being the chief one used for itinerary distances, also adopted by the Romans for nautical and astronomical measurements. It was equal to 600 Greek or 625 Roman feet, or 125 Roman paces, or to 606 feet 9 inches English. This was also called the Olympic stadium, as being the exact length of the foot-race course at Olympia. Dr. W. Smith.
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2. Hence: A race course; especially, the Olympic course for foot races.
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3. Hence: A modern structure, with its inclosure, resembling the ancient stadium{2}, used for athletic games which are typically played out-of-doors; such stadiums are usually large structures without roofs, though some modern stadiums may have a protective dome overhead. It may be contrasted with the arena, the term commonly used for smaller structures at which indoor games are played.
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4. A kind of telemeter for measuring the distance of an object of known dimensions, by observing the angle it subtends; especially (Surveying), a graduated rod used to measure the distance of the place where it stands from an instrument having a telescope, by observing the number of the graduations of the rod that are seen between certain parallel wires (stadia wires) in the field of view of the telescope; -- also called stadia, and stadia rod.
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Stadtholder (stăthōldẽr), n. [D. stadhouder; stad a city, a town + houder a holder.] Formerly, the chief magistrate of the United Provinces of Holland; also, the governor or lieutenant governor of a province.
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{ Stadtholderate (-�t), Stadtholdership (-shĭp), } n. The office or position of a stadtholder.
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Stafette (stȧfĕt), n. [Cf. G. stafette. See .] An estafet. [R.] Carlyle.
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Staff (stȧf), n.; pl. Staves (stāvz or stävz; 277) or Staffs (stȧfs) in senses 1-9, Staffs in senses 10, 11. [AS. stæf a staff; akin to LG. & D. staf, OFries. stef, G. stab, Icel. stafr, Sw. staf, Dan. stav, Goth. stabs element, rudiment, Skr. sthāpay to cause to stand, to place. See , and cf. , , n.] 1. A long piece of wood; a stick; the long handle of an instrument or weapon; a pole or stick, used for many purposes; as, a surveyor's staff; the staff of a spear or pike.
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And he put the staves into the rings on the sides of the altar to bear it withal. Ex. xxxviii. 7.
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With forks and staves the felon to pursue. Dryden.
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2. A stick carried in the hand for support or defense by a person walking; hence, a support; that which props or upholds. “Hooked staves.” Piers Plowman.
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The boy was the very staff of my age. Shak.
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He spoke of it [beer] in “The Earnest Cry,” and likewise in the “Scotch Drink,” as one of the staffs of life which had been struck from the poor man's hand. Prof. Wilson.
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3. A pole, stick, or wand borne as an ensign of authority; a badge of office; as, a constable's staff.
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Methought this staff, mine office badge in court,
Was broke in twain. Shak.
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All his officers brake their staves; but at their return new staves were delivered unto them. Hayward.
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4. A pole upon which a flag is supported and displayed.
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5. The round of a ladder. [R.]
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I ascended at one [ladder] of six hundred and thirty-nine staves. Dr. J. Campbell (E. Brown's Travels).
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6. A series of verses so disposed that, when it is concluded, the same order begins again; a stanza; a stave.
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Cowley found out that no kind of staff is proper for an heroic poem, as being all too lyrical. Dryden.
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7. (Mus.) The five lines and the spaces on which music is written; -- formerly called stave.
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8. (Mech.) An arbor, as of a wheel or a pinion of a watch.
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9. (Surg.) The grooved director for the gorget, or knife, used in cutting for stone in the bladder.
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10. [From , 3, a badge of office.] (Mil.) An establishment of officers in various departments attached to an army, to a section of an army, or to the commander of an army. The general's staff consists of those officers about his person who are employed in carrying his commands into execution. See .
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11. Hence: A body of assistants serving to carry into effect the plans of a superintendent or manager; sometimes used for the entire group of employees of an enterprise, excluding the top management; as, the staff of a newspaper.
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Coloq. Jacob's staff (Surv.), a single straight rod or staff, pointed and iron-shod at the bottom, for penetrating the ground, and having a socket joint at the top, used, instead of a tripod, for supporting a compass. -- Coloq. Staff angle (Arch.), a square rod of wood standing flush with the wall on each of its sides, at the external angles of plastering, to prevent their being damaged. -- Coloq. The staff of life , bread. “Bread is the staff of life.” Swift. -- Coloq. Staff tree (Bot.), any plant of the genus Celastrus, mostly climbing shrubs of the northern hemisphere. The American species (C. scandens) is commonly called bittersweet. See 2d , 3 (b). -- Coloq. To set up one's staff , Coloq. To put up one's staff , Coloq. To set down one's staff or Coloq. To put down one's staff , to take up one's residence; to lodge. [Obs.]
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Staff (stȧf), n. [G. staffiren to fill or fit out, adorn, fr. D. stoffeeren, OF. estoffer, F. étoffer, fr. OF. estoffe stuff, F. étoffe. See , n.] (Arch.) Plaster combined with fibrous and other materials so as to be suitable for sculpture in relief or in the round, or for forming flat plates or boards of considerable size which can be nailed to framework to make the exterior of a larger structure, forming joints which may afterward be repaired and concealed with fresh plaster.
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Staffier (stȧffĭẽr), n. An attendant bearing a staff. [Obs.] “Staffiers on foot.” Hudibras.
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Staffish (stȧfĭsh), a. Stiff; harsh. [Obs.] Ascham.
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Staffman (stȧfm�n), n.; pl. Staffmen (-m�n). A workman employed in silk throwing.
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Stag (stăg), n. [Icel. steggr the male of several animals; or a doubtful AS. stagga. Cf. .] 1. (Zoöl.) (a) The adult male of the red deer (Cervus elaphus), a large European species closely related to the American elk, or wapiti. (b) The male of certain other species of large deer.
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2. A colt, or filly; also, a romping girl. [Prov. Eng.]
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3. A castrated bull; -- called also bull stag, and bull seg. See the Note under .
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4. (Stock Exchange) (a) An outside irregular dealer in stocks, who is not a member of the exchange. [Cant] (b) One who applies for the allotment of shares in new projects, with a view to sell immediately at a premium, and not to hold the stock. [Cant]
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5. (Zoöl.) The European wren. [Prov. Eng.]
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Coloq. Stag beetle (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of lamellicorn beetles belonging to Lucanus and allied genera, especially Lucanus cervus of Europe and Lucanus dama of the United States. The mandibles are large and branched, or forked, whence the name. The larva feeds on the rotten wood of dead trees. Called also horned bug, and horse beetle. -- Coloq. Stag dance , a dance by men only. [Slang, U.S.] -- Coloq. Stag hog (Zoöl.), the babiroussa. -- Coloq. Stag-horn coral (Zoöl.), any one of several species of large branching corals of the genus Madrepora, which somewhat resemble the antlers of the stag, especially Madrepora cervicornis, and Madrepora palmata, of Florida and the West Indies. -- Coloq. Stag-horn fern (Bot.), an Australian and West African fern (Platycerium alcicorne) having the large fronds branched like a stag's horns; also, any species of the same genus. -- Coloq. Stag-horn sumac (Bot.), a common American shrub (Rhus typhina) having densely velvety branchlets. See . -- Coloq. Stag party , a party consisting of men only. [Slang, U. S.] -- Coloq. Stag tick (Zoöl.), a parasitic dipterous insect of the family Hippoboscidæ, which lives upon the stag and is usually wingless. The same species lives also upon the European grouse, but in that case has wings.
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Stag, v. i. (Com.) To act as a “stag,” or irregular dealer in stocks. [Cant]
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Stag, v. t. To watch; to dog, or keep track of. [Prov. Eng. or Slang] H. Kingsley.
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Stage (stāj), n. [OF. estage, F. étage, (assumed) LL. staticum, from L. stare to stand. See , and cf. .] 1. A floor or story of a house. [Obs.] Wyclif.
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2. An elevated platform on which an orator may speak, a play be performed, an exhibition be presented, or the like.
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3. A floor elevated for the convenience of mechanical work, or the like; a scaffold; a staging.
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4. A platform, often floating, serving as a kind of wharf.
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5. The floor for scenic performances; hence, the theater; the playhouse; hence, also, the profession of representing dramatic compositions; the drama, as acted or exhibited.
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Knights, squires, and steeds, must enter on the stage. Pope.
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Lo! where the stage, the poor, degraded stage,
Holds its warped mirror to a gaping age. C. Sprague.
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6. A place where anything is publicly exhibited; the scene of any noted action or career; the spot where any remarkable affair occurs; as, politicians must live their lives on the public stage.
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When we are born, we cry that we are come
To this great stage of fools. Shak.
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Music and ethereal mirth
Wherewith the stage of air and earth did ring. Miton.
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7. The platform of a microscope, upon which an object is placed to be viewed. See Illust. of .
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8. A place of rest on a regularly traveled road; a stage house; a station; a place appointed for a relay of horses.
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9. A degree of advancement in a journey; one of several portions into which a road or course is marked off; the distance between two places of rest on a road; as, a stage of ten miles.
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A stage . . . signifies a certain distance on a road. Jeffrey.
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He traveled by gig, with his wife, his favorite horse performing the journey by easy stages. Smiles.
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10. A degree of advancement in any pursuit, or of progress toward an end or result.
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Such a polity is suited only to a particular stage in the progress of society. Macaulay.
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11. A large vehicle running from station to station for the accommodation of the public; a stagecoach; an omnibus. “A parcel sent you by the stage.” Cowper. [Obsolescent]
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I went in the sixpenny stage. Swift.
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12. (Biol.) One of several marked phases or periods in the development and growth of many animals and plants; as, the larval stage; pupa stage; zœa stage.
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Coloq. Stage box , a box close to the stage in a theater. -- Coloq. Stage carriage , a stagecoach. -- Coloq. Stage door , the actors' and workmen's entrance to a theater. -- Coloq. Stage lights , the lights by which the stage in a theater is illuminated. -- Coloq. Stage micrometer , a graduated device applied to the stage of a microscope for measuring the size of an object. -- Coloq. Stage wagon , a wagon which runs between two places for conveying passengers or goods. -- Coloq. Stage whisper , a loud whisper, as by an actor in a theater, supposed, for dramatic effect, to be unheard by one or more of his fellow actors, yet audible to the audience; an aside.
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Stage (stāj), v. t. To exhibit upon a stage, or as upon a stage; to display publicly. Shak.
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Stagecoach (stājkōch), n. A coach that runs regularly from one stage, station, or place to another, for the conveyance of passengers.
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Stagecoachman (stājkōchm�n), n.; pl. Stagecoachmen (stājkōchm�n). One who drives a stagecoach.
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Stage director. (Theat.) One who prepares a play for production. He arranges the details of the stage settings, the business to be used, all stage effects, and instructs the actors, excepting usually the star, in the general interpretation of their parts.
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Stage fright. Nervousness felt before an audience.
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Stagehouse (-hous), n. A house where a stage regularly stops for passengers or a relay of horses.
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Stagely, a. Pertaining to a stage; becoming the theater; theatrical. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.
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Stage manager. (Theat.) One in control of the stage during the production of a play. He directs the stage hands, property man, etc., has charge of all details behind the curtain, except the acting, and has a general oversight of the actors. Sometimes he is also the .
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Stageplay (-plā), n. A dramatic or theatrical entertainment. Dryden.
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Stageplayer (-ẽr), n. An actor on the stage; one whose occupation is to represent characters on the stage; as, Garrick was a celebrated stageplayer.
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Stager (stājẽr), n. 1. A player. [R.] B. Jonson.
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2. One who has long acted on the stage of life; a practitioner; a person of experience, or of skill derived from long experience. “You will find most of the old stagers still stationary there.” Sir W. Scott.
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3. A horse used in drawing a stage. [Colloq.]
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Stagery (-�), n. Exhibition on the stage. [Obs.]
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Stage-struck (stājstrŭk), a. Fascinated by the stage; seized by a passionate desire to become an actor.
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Stag-evil (stăgēv'l), n. (Far.) A kind of palsy affecting the jaw of a horse. Crabb.
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Staggard (-gẽrd), n. [From .] (Zoöl.) The male red deer when four years old.
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Stagger (-gẽr), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Staggered (-gẽrd); p. pr. & vb. n. Staggering.] [OE. stakeren, Icel. stakra to push, to stagger, fr. staka to punt, push, stagger; cf. OD. staggeren to stagger. Cf. , n.] 1. To move to one side and the other, as if about to fall, in standing or walking; not to stand or walk with steadiness; to sway; to reel or totter.
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Deep was the wound; he staggered with the blow. Dryden.
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2. To cease to stand firm; to begin to give way; to fail. “The enemy staggers.” Addison.
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3. To begin to doubt and waver in purpose; to become less confident or determined; to hesitate.
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He [Abraham] staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief. Rom. iv. 20.
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Stagger, v. t. 1. To cause to reel or totter.
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That hand shall burn in never-quenching fire
That staggers thus my person. Shak.
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2. To cause to doubt and waver; to make to hesitate; to make less steady or confident; to shock.
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Whosoever will read the story of this war will find himself much staggered. Howell.
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Grants to the house of Russell were so enormous, as not only to outrage economy, but even to stagger credibility. Burke.
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3. To arrange (a series of parts) on each side of a median line alternately, as the spokes of a wheel or the rivets of a boiler seam.
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Stagger, n. 1. An unsteady movement of the body in walking or standing, as if one were about to fall; a reeling motion; vertigo; -- often in the plural; as, the stagger of a drunken man.
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2. pl. (Far.) A disease of horses and other animals, attended by reeling, unsteady gait or sudden falling; as, parasitic staggers; apopletic or sleepy staggers.
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3. pl. Bewilderment; perplexity. [R.] Shak.
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Coloq. Stomach staggers (Far.), distention of the stomach with food or gas, resulting in indigestion, frequently in death.
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Staggerbush (-bụsh), n. (Bot.) An American shrub (Andromeda Mariana) having clusters of nodding white flowers. It grows in low, sandy places, and is said to poison lambs and calves. Gray.
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Staggeringly, adv. In a staggering manner.
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Staggerwort (-wûrt), n. (Bot.) A kind of ragwort (Senecio Jacobæa).
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{ Stag-horn coral (stăghôrn kŏr�l), Stag-horn fern (fẽrn), etc. } See under .
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Stag-horned (-hôrnd), a. (Zoöl.) Having the mandibles large and palmate, or branched somewhat like the antlers of a stag; -- said of certain beetles.
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Staghound (-hound), n. (Zoöl.) A large and powerful hound formerly used in hunting the stag, the wolf, and other large animals. The breed is nearly extinct.
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Staging (stājĭng), n. A structure of posts and boards for supporting workmen, etc., as in building.
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2. The business of running stagecoaches; also, the act of journeying in stagecoaches.
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Stagirite (stăjĭrīt), n. A native of, or resident in, Stagira, in ancient Macedonia; especially, Aristotle. [Written also Stagyrite.]
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Stagnancy (stăgn�ns�), n. State of being stagnant.
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Stagnant (-n�nt), a. [L. stagnans, -antis, p. pr. of stagnare. See .] 1. That stagnates; not flowing; not running in a current or steam; motionless; hence, impure or foul from want of motion; as, a stagnant lake or pond; stagnant blood in the veins.
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2. Not active or brisk; dull; as, business is stagnant.
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That gloomy slumber of the stagnant soul. Johnson.
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For him a stagnant life was not worth living. Palfrey.
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Stagnantly, adv. In a stagnant manner.
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