stump

/stʌmp/
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stump

The politician stood on a wooden stump to address the crowd.

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!
stump

The politician stood on a wooden stump to address the crowd.

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