Definition

1. Noun:

   • A remaining base: The part of something, especially a tree or limb, that is left after the main part has been removed or cut off.
   • A platform for speaking: A raised platform used by a speaker, historically often a tree stump.
   • A cricket wicket post: One of the three vertical wooden posts that form the wicket in the game of cricket.
   • A short, thick remnant: Any short, thick piece or stub, such as of a pencil or a cigar.

2. Verb:

   • To perplex or baffle: To cause someone to be unable to answer or solve something.
   • To walk heavily: To walk with heavy, clumsy steps, making a thumping sound.
   • To campaign politically: To travel through an area making political speeches.
   • To remove stumps: To clear an area of tree stumps.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • After the storm, only the stump of the old oak tree remained.
  • The politician stood on a stump to address the crowd.
  • The ball hit the middle stump and the batsman was out.

• Verb:

  • The final question on the quiz completely stumped me.
  • He stumped angrily up the stairs.
  • The senator will stump across the state during the election.

Advanced Usage

• "To be/stump up (the money)": (Informal, chiefly British) To pay a sum of money, often reluctantly.

  • He finally stumped up the cash he owed.

• "Stump speech": A standard speech repeatedly delivered by a politician during a campaign.

  • The candidate gave his familiar stump speech in every town.

• "On the stump": Engaged in political campaigning by making speeches.

  • The candidate has been on the stump for months.

Variants and Related Words

• Stumpy (adj): Short and thick; resembling a stump.

  • He had stumpy fingers.

• Stumper (n): (Informal) A difficult question or problem.

  • That riddle is a real stumper.

Synonyms

• Noun (base): Stub, butt, remnant.
• Verb (perplex): Baffle, perplex, confound, puzzle.
• Verb (walk): Clump, stomp, tramp, trudge.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Stump up: (Informal) To pay money.
  • You'll have to stump up for the repairs.

Related Idioms

• "Up a stump": (Informal) In a difficult situation; unable to proceed or find an answer.

  • I'm up a stump with this math problem.

• "Stir your stumps!": (Old-fashioned, informal) An exhortation to hurry up or start moving.

  • Come on, stir your stumps, we're going to be late!

Noun

1. a platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to the person on it
2. (cricket) any of three upright wooden posts that form the wicket
3. the part of a limb or tooth that remains after the rest is removed
4. the base part of a tree that remains standing after the tree has been felled

Verb

1. remove tree stumps from
   • stump a field
2. travel through a district and make political speeches
   • the candidate stumped the Northeast
3. walk heavily
   • The men stomped through the snow in their heavy boots
4. cause to be perplexed or confounded
   • This problem stumped her