Stake-driver
(Stake"-driv`er) n. (Zoöl.) The common American bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus); — so
called because one of its notes resembles the sound made in driving a stake into the mud. Called also
meadow hen, and Indian hen.
Stakehead
(Stake"head`) n. (Rope making) A horizontal bar on a stake, used for supporting the yarns
which are kept apart by pins in the bar.
Stakeholder
(Stake"hold`er) n. The holder of a stake; one with whom the bets are deposited when a
wager is laid.
Staktometer
(Stak*tom"e*ter) n. [Gr. falling by drops + -meter.] A drop measurer; a glass tube tapering
to a small orifice at the point, and having a bulb in the middle, used for finding the number of drops in
equal quantities of different liquids. See Pipette. Sir D. Brewster.
Stal
(Stal) obs. imp. of Steal. Stole.
Stalactic
(Sta*lac"tic Sta*lac"tic*al) , a. (Geol.) Stalactitic.
Stalactiform
(Sta*lac"ti*form) a. Like a stalactite; resembling a stalactite.
Stalactite
(Sta*lac"tite) n.; pl. Stalactites [Gr. oozing out in drops, dropping, fr. to drop: cf. F. stalactite.]
(Geol.) (a) A pendent cone or cylinder of calcium carbonate resembling an icicle in form and mode of
attachment. Stalactites are found depending from the roof or sides of caverns, and are produced by
deposition from waters which have percolated through, and partially dissolved, the overlying limestone
rocks. (b) In an extended sense, any mineral or rock of similar form and origin; as, a stalactite of lava.
Stalactites
(||Stal`ac*ti"tes) n. [NL.] A stalactite. [Obs.] Woodward.
Stalactitic
(Stal`ac*tit"ic Stal`ac*tit"ic*al) , a. [Cf. F. stalactitique.] (Geol.) Of or pertaining to a stalactite; having
the form or characters of a stalactite; stalactic.
Stalactitiform
(Stal`ac*tit"i*form) a. Having the form of a stalactite; stalactiform.
Stalagmite
(Sta*lag"mite) n. [Gr. that which drops, a drop, fr. to drop; cf. F. stalagmite.] (Geol.) A
deposit more or less resembling an inverted stalactite, formed by calcareous water dropping on the floors
of caverns; hence, a similar deposit of other material.
Stalagmitic
(Stal`ag*mit"ic Stal`ag*mit"ic*al) , a. Having the form or structure of stalagmites. — Stal`ag*mit"ic*al*ly,
adv.
Stalder
(Stal"der) n. [From the root of stall.] A wooden frame to set casks on. [Prov. Eng.]
Stale
(Stale) n. [OE. stale, stele, AS. stæl, stel; akin to LG. & D. steel, G. stiel; cf. L. stilus stake,
stalk, stem, Gr. a handle, and E. stall, stalk, n.] The stock or handle of anything; as, the stale of a
rake. [Written also steal, stele, etc.]
But seeling the arrow's stale without, and that the head did go
No further than it might be seen.
Chapman. Stale
(Stale), a. [Akin to stale urine, and to stall, n.; probably from Low German or Scandinavian.
Cf. Stale, v. i.]
1. Vapid or tasteless from age; having lost its life, spirit, and flavor, from being long kept; as, stale beer.
2. Not new; not freshly made; as, stele bread.
3. Having lost the life or graces of youth; worn out; decayed. "A stale virgin." Spectator.
