STUMP | Definition and Meaning

Definition of Stump

Stump

Definition/Meaning

(noun)

The remains of a tree trunk after it has been cut down.

e.g. The hikers had to navigate around the stump on the trail.

(noun)

the remaining portion of some structure (especially a body part) that is left projecting after the rest of the structure has been removed or worn away;

e.g. She wears a prosthetic leg over the stump of her knee.

(noun)

in cricket, each of the three pointed wooden rods that is planted upright in the ground to form the wicket;

e.g. The ball knocked over the left stump, eliminating the batsman from the game.

(noun)

in American usage, an occasion or place for public speaking, especially a series of such occasions made by a speaker, for example during a political campaign (usually used as "on the stump");

e.g. She gained an advantage over her opponent on the stump due to her effective speeches and public appeal.

(verb)

to walk stiffly, heavily, clumsily, and/or noisily;

e.g. He began to stump towards the door to open it.

(verb)

in informal usage, to baffle someone and be too difficult for them, used to describe a problem or question, or to be baffled or at a loss, not knowing what to say or do;

e.g. The question was tricky enough to stump me for a few hours.

(verb)

to reduce a structure to a cut-off projection, or to clear an area of such projections, especially in context of trees;

e.g. They plan to stump the huge tree tomorrow morning.

(verb)

in American usage, to travel around a region making speeches, especially with political motives or to support a particular cause;

e.g. The candidate will stump the country over the course of the coming weeks.

(noun)

in art, a short roll of some material such as paper, often with tapered ends, that is used to blend or shade markings made with a pencil, chalk, or some other medium;

e.g. The artist used her stump to blend the colors in the drawing.

(verb)

in art, to soften or blend a portion of a drawing using a cylindrical piece of some material such as paper or felt;

e.g. The artist preferred to stump the picture in sections as he worked.