Search results for 'stall':

stall¹ noun 1 a compartment in a cowshed, stable, etc for housing a single animal. 2 a a stand, often with a canopy, that is set up temporarily in a market place, bazaar, fête, etc for the purpose of selling goods; b in compounds • stall-holder • flower stall. 3 (stalls) the seats on the ground floor of a theatre or cinema. 4 an act or condition of a vehicle or its engine having stalled (verb 1). 5 said of an aircraft: an instance of sudden loss of control of the height it is flying at, caused either by a reduction in its air speed or by an increase in the angle of attack. 6 one of a row of public urinals which are screened off from their neighbours by small partitions. 7 a a church seat with arms, especially one in the choir or chancel; b a pew without doors. 8 (the stalls) starting stalls. 9 a each of the fingers of a glove; b a fingerstall. verb (stalled, stalling) 1 tr & intr a said of a motor vehicle or its engine: to cut out or make it cut out unintentionally, especially by not using the clutch properly; b to come, bring or be brought to a standstill • Plans for the expansion had stalled. 2 to put (an animal) into a stall. 3 said of an aircraft: to go into a stall (noun 5) or to make it go into a stall. 4 chiefly US to stick or to make something stick in snow, mud, etc.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon steall a standing place.

stall² verb (stalled, stalling) 1 to delay. 2 intrans to do something in order to delay something else; to be evasive • Quit stalling and answer the question. noun an act of stalling; a delaying tactic. stall for time to hold off doing something in the hope that things will change in one's favour.
ETYMOLOGY: 16c: from obsolete stale, a decoy.