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¹stick

noun \ˈstik\

Definition of STICK

: a woody piece or part of a tree or shrub: as

a : a usually dry or dead severed shoot, twig, or slender branch

b : a cut or broken branch or piece of wood gathered for fuel or construction material

a : a long slender piece of wood or metal: as (1) : a club or staff used as a weapon (2) : walking stick

b : an implement used for striking or propelling an object in a game

c : something used to force compliance

d : a baton symbolizing an office or dignity; also : a person entitled to bear such a baton

: a piece of the materials composing something (as a building)

: any of various implements resembling a stick in shape, origin, or use: as

a : composing stick

b : an airplane lever operating the elevators and ailerons

c : the gearshift lever of an automobile

: something prepared (as by cutting, molding, or rolling) in a relatively long and slender often cylindrical form <a stick of candy> <a stick of butter>

a : person, chap

b : a dull, inert, stiff, or spiritless person

plural : remote usually rural districts regarded especially as backward, dull, or unsophisticated : boondocks

: an herbaceous stalk resembling a woody stick <celery sticks>

: ¹mast 1; also : ¹yard 4

: a piece of furniture

a : a number of bombs arranged for release from a bombing plane in a series across a target

b : a number of parachutists dropping together

slang : a marijuana cigarette

a : punishment or the threat of punishment used to force compliance or cooperation <choosing between the carrot and the stick>

b British : criticism, abuse

— stick·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

Illustration of STICK

Origin of STICK

Middle English stik, from Old English sticca; akin to Old Norse stik stick, Old English stician to stick

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with STICK

brick, chick, click, crick, creek, Dick, flick, Frick, hick, kick, KWIC, lick, mick, nick, pic, pick, prick, quick, rick, Schick, shtick, sic, sick, slick, snick, thick, tic, tick, trick, wick

²stick

transitive verb

Definition of STICK

: to hit or propel (as a hockey puck) with a stick

First Known Use of STICK

1937

Other Field and Goal Sports Terms

crease, lateral, lax, overthrow, playbook, post, screen, scrum, secondary, ultimate

³stick

verb

stuck \ˈstək\ stick·ing

Definition of STICK

transitive verb

a : to pierce with something pointed : stab

b : to kill by piercing

: to push or thrust so as or as if to pierce

a : to fasten by thrusting in

b : impale

c : push, thrust

: to put or set in a specified place or position

: to furnish with things fastened on by or as if by piercing

: to attach by or as if by causing to adhere to a surface

a : to compel to pay especially by trickery <got stuck with the bar bill>

b : overcharge

a : to halt the movement or action of

b : baffle, stump

a : cheat, defraud

b : to saddle with something disadvantageous or disagreeable <is still stuck with that lousy car>

: to execute (a landing) flawlessly in gymnastics

intransitive verb

: to hold to something firmly by or as if by adhesion:

a : to become fixed in place by means of a pointed end

b : to become fast by or as if by miring or by gluing or plastering <stuck in the mud>

a : to remain in a place, situation, or environment

b : to hold fast or adhere resolutely : cling <she stuck to her story>

c : to remain effective

d : to keep close in a chase or competition

: to become blocked, wedged, or jammed

a : balk, scruple

b : to find oneself baffled

c : to be unable to proceed

: project, protrude

— stick in one's craw

: to irritate, nag at, or obsess one

— stick it to

: to treat harshly or unfairly

— stick one's neck out

: to make oneself vulnerable by taking a risk

— stick to one's guns

: to maintain one's position especially in face of opposition

— stuck on

: infatuated with

Origin of STICK

Middle English stikken, from Old English stician; akin to Old High German sticken to prick, Latin instigare to urge on, goad, Greek stizein to tattoo

First Known Use: before 12th century

Synonym Discussion of STICK

stick, adhere, cohere, cling, cleave mean to become closely attached. stick implies attachment by affixing or by being glued together <couldn't get the label to stick>. adhere is often interchangeable with stick but sometimes implies a growing together <antibodies adhering to a virus>. cohere suggests a sticking together of parts so that they form a unified mass <eggs will make the mixture cohere>. cling implies attachment by hanging on with arms or tendrils <clinging to a capsized boat>. cleave stresses strength of attachment <the wet shirt cleaved to his back>.