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   Stump

   /stəmp/

   

   noun

   • 1. the bottom part of a tree left projecting from the ground after most of the trunk has fallen or been cut down.
   • ▪ the small projecting remnant of something that has been cut or broken off or worn away: "the stump of an amputated arm"
   • 2. each of the three upright pieces of wood which form a wicket.
   • 3. a cylinder with conical ends made of rolled paper or other soft material, used for softening or blending marks made with a crayon or pencil.
   • 4. engaged in or involving political campaigning: North American "he is an inspiring stump speaker"

   verb

   • 1. (of a question or problem) be too hard for; baffle: informal "education chiefs were stumped by some of the exam questions" Similar baffleperplexpuzzleconfuseconfoundbewildermystifynonplusdefeatbe too much forput at a lossbring up shortinformal:flummoxfoxbe all Greek tothrowfloordiscombobulatearchaic:wildergravelmazerare:obfuscate
   • ▪ be at a loss; be unable to work out what to do or say: "detectives are stumped for a reason for the attack"
   • 2. walk stiffly and noisily: "he stumped away on short thick legs" Similar stompstampclompclumplumbertrudgeplodthumpthudbangthundersprauchle
   • 3. travel around (a district) making political speeches: North American "there is no chance that he will be well enough to stump the country"
   • 4. use a stump on (a drawing, line, etc.).

   Word Origin Middle English (denoting a part of a limb remaining after an amputation): from Middle Low German stump(e) or Middle Dutch stomp. The early sense of the verb was ‘stumble’.

   Scrabble Points: 9

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