stall

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a malfunction in the flight of an aircraft in which there is a sudden loss of lift that results in a downward plunge

   the plane went into a stall and I couldn't control it

2. 2
   verb

   deliberately delay an event or action

   They don't want to write the report, so they are stalling.

3. 3
   verb

   come to a stop

   The car stalled in the driveway

4. 4
   verb

   cause an engine to stop

   The inexperienced driver kept stalling the car

5. 5
   noun

   A stable; a place for cattle.

   His Fellow ſought what Lodging he could find: At laſt he found a Stall where oxen ſtood, And that he rather choſe than lie abroad.

6. 6
   noun

   A bench or table on which small articles of merchandise are exposed for sale.

   Now he goes on, and ſings of fairs and ſhows, For ſtill new fairs before his eyes aroſe. How pedlars' ſtalls with glitt'ring toys are laid, The various fairings of the country maid.

7. 7
   noun

   A small open-fronted shop, for example in a market, food court, etc.

   He looked in vain into the stalls for the butcher who had sold fresh meat twice a week, on market days [...]

8. 8
   noun

   A small partitioned space or roomlet used for a shower or a toilet.

   Rabbit eases from the king-size bed, goes into their bathroom with its rose-colored one-piece Fiberglas tub and shower stall, and urinates into the toilet of a matching rose porcelain.

Etymology

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”).