stick
Pronunciation: (stik), [key]
— n., v., sticked, stick•ing.
—n.
- a branch or shoot of a tree or shrub that has been cut or broken off.
- a relatively long and slender piece of wood.
- a long piece of wood for use as fuel, in carpentry, etc.
- a rod or wand.
- a baton.
- a walking stick or cane.
- a club or cudgel.
- something that serves to goad or coerce:Cf.(def. 3). The threat of unemployment was the stick that kept the workers toiling overtime.
- a long, slender piece or part of anything: a stick of candy; sticks of celery.
- any of four equal parts in a pound of butter or margarine.
- an implement used to drive or propel a ball or puck, as a crosse or a hockey stick.
- a lever, usually with a handle, by which the longitudinal and lateral motions of an airplane are controlled.
- a mast or spar.
- See
- any region distant from cities or towns, as rural districts; the country: Having lived in a large city all his life, he found it hard to adjust to the sticks.
-
- a group of bombs so arranged as to be released in a row across a target.
- the bomb load.
- See
- a marijuana cigarette.
- an unenthusiastic or uninteresting person.
- a portion of liquor, as brandy, added to a nonalcoholic drink.
- the least desirable assignment, decision, or part of an arrangement.
—v.t.
- to furnish (a plant, vine, etc.) with a stick or sticks in order to prop or support.
- to set (type) in a composing stick.
stick
Pronunciation: (stik), [key]
— v., n. stuck, stick•ing,
—v.t.
- to pierce or puncture with something pointed, as a pin, dagger, or spear; stab: to stick one's finger with a needle.
- to kill by this means: to stick a pig.
- to thrust (something pointed) in, into, through, etc.: to stick a needle into a pincushion.
- to fasten in position by thrusting a point or end into something: to stick a peg in a pegboard.
- to fasten in position by or as if by something thrust through: to stick a painting on the wall.
- to put on or hold with something pointed; impale: to stick a marshmallow on a fork.
- to decorate or furnish with things piercing the surface: to stick a cushion full of pins.
- to furnish or adorn with things attached or set here and there: to stick shelves full of knickknacks.
- to place upon a stick or pin for exhibit: to stick butterflies.
- to thrust or poke into a place or position indicated: to stick one's head out of the window.
- to place or set in a specified position; put: Stick the chair in the corner.
- to fasten or attach by causing to adhere: to stick a stamp on a letter.
- to bring to a standstill; render unable to proceed or go back (usually used in the passive): The car was stuck in the mud.
- to start (a nail).
- to join (pieces of partially hardened clay) together, using slip as an adhesive.
- to tolerate; endure: He couldn't stick the job more than three days.
- to confuse or puzzle; bewilder; perplex; nonplus: He was stuck by the very first problem on the test.
- to impose something disagreeable upon (a person or persons), as a large bill or a difficult task: The committee persistently stuck him with fund collection.
- to cheat.
- . to go to hell with: often used imperatively.
—v.i.
- to have the point piercing or embedded in something: The arrow stuck in the tree.
- to remain attached by adhesion.
- to hold, cleave, or cling: The young rider stuck to the back of his terrified horse.
- to remain persistently or permanently: a fact that sticks in the mind.
- to remain firm, as in resolution, opinion, statement, or attachment; hold faithfully, as to a promise or bargain.
- to keep or remain steadily or unremittingly, as to a task, undertaking, or the like: to stick to a job until it is finished.
- to become fastened, hindered, checked, or stationary by some obstruction: Her zipper stuck halfway up.
- to be at a standstill, as from difficulties: I'm stuck on this problem.
- to be embarrassed or puzzled; hesitate or scruple (usually fol. by at).
- to be thrust or placed so as to extend, project, or protrude (usually fol. by through, from, out, up, etc.).
- to wait in the vicinity; linger: If you had stuck around, you'd have seen the fireworks.
- to maintain one's attachment or loyalty to; remain faithful to: They vowed to stick by one another no matter what happened.
- . See (def. 5).
- to take advantage of; treat unfairly.
- to endure something patiently to the end or its completion: It was a long, dusty trip but we stuck it out.
- . See (def. 6).
- See(def. 20).
- to extend; protrude: Stick out your tongue. Your shirttail is sticking out.
- See (def. 11).
- to be substantial and nourishing, as a hearty meal: Hot cereal sticks to your ribs on those cold winter mornings.
- to rob, esp. at gunpoint: A lone gunman stuck up the gas station.
- to speak in favor of; come to the defense of; support: She always sticks up for him, even though he doesn't deserve it.
—n.
- a thrust with a pointed instrument; stab.
- a stoppage or standstill.
- something causing delay or difficulty.
- the quality of adhering or of causing things to adhere.
- something causing adhesion.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.