stall

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A small open shop or table where goods are sold, especially in a market.

   She bought fresh fruit from a market stall.

2. 2
   verb

   To stop running suddenly, or to make an engine stop.

   The car stalled at the traffic lights.

3. 3
   verb

   To delay doing something on purpose.

   He kept stalling instead of giving us an answer.

4. 4
   noun

   A small enclosed space, such as for a shower or toilet.

   Only one shower stall was working at the gym.

From Middle English stallen (“to abide, dwell, place in a location, stop, come to a standstill”), partly from Old French estaler, ultimately from the same origin as Etymology 1 (see above); and partly from Middle English stalle (“fixed position, stall”).

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