| stick |
verb t. |
A small shoot, or branch, separated, as by a cutting, from a tree or shrub; also, any stem or branch of a tree, of any size, cut for fuel or timber., Any long and comparatively slender piece of wood, whether in natural form or shaped with tools; a rod; a wand; a staff; as, the stick of a rocket; a walking stick., Anything shaped like a stick; as, a stick of wax., A derogatory expression for a person; one who is inert or stupid; as, an odd stick; a poor stick., A composing stick. See under Composing. It is usually a frame of metal, but for posters, handbills, etc., one made of wood is used., A thrust with a pointed instrument; a stab., To penetrate with a pointed instrument; to pierce; to stab; hence, to kill by piercing; as, to stick a beast., To cause to penetrate; to push, thrust, or drive, so as to pierce; as, to stick a needle into one’s finger., To fasten, attach, or cause to remain, by thrusting in; hence, also, to adorn or deck with things fastened on as by piercing; as, to stick a pin on the sleeve., To set; to fix in; as, to stick card teeth., To set with something pointed; as, to stick cards., To fix on a pointed instrument; to impale; as, to stick an apple on a fork., To attach by causing to adhere to the surface; as, to stick on a plaster; to stick a stamp on an envelope; also, to attach in any manner., To compose; to set, or arrange, in a composing stick; as, to stick type., To run or plane (moldings) in a machine, in contradistinction to working them by hand. Such moldings are said to be stuck., To cause to stick; to bring to a stand; to pose; to puzzle; as, to stick one with a hard problem., To impose upon; to compel to pay; sometimes, to cheat., To adhere; as, glue sticks to the fingers; paste sticks to the wall., To remain where placed; to be fixed; to hold fast to any position so as to be moved with difficulty; to cling; to abide; to cleave; to be united closely., To be prevented from going farther; to stop by reason of some obstacle; to be stayed., To be embarrassed or puzzled; to hesitate; to be deterred, as by scruples; to scruple; — often with at., To cause difficulties, scruples, or hesitation. |