stump

stump¹ [stʌmp] n

[Date: 1200-1300; : Middle Low Germa]

1.) the bottom part of a tree that is left in the ground after the rest of it has been cut down

▪ an old tree stump

2.) the short part of someone's leg, arm etc that remains after the rest of it has been cut off

3.) the small useless part of something that remains after most of it has broken off or worn away

▪ There was only a stump of the candle left.

4.) one of the three upright sticks in ↑cricket that you throw the ball at

5.) stump speech/speaker

AmE a speech made by a politician who is travelling around in order to gain political support, or the politician who gives this speech

6.) be on the stump

BrE to be travelling around an area, making speeches in order to gain political support

stump ²

stump² v

1.) [T usually passive]

if you are stumped by a question or problem, you are unable to find an answer to it

▪ a case that has stumped the police

▪ The doctors were stumped and had to call in a specialist.

2.)

to walk with heavy steps

= ↑stomp stump up/along/across etc

▪ He stumped down the hall.

3.) [T]

to put a ↑batsman out of the game in ↑cricket by touching the stumps with the ball when he is out of the hitting area

4.) [I and T] [i]AmE

to travel around an area, meeting people and making speeches in order to gain political support

▪ Alexander has been stumping in New Hampshire.

stump up () [stump up (sth)] phr v

to pay money, even if it is difficult or when you do not want to

▪ We stumped up eight quid each.