stick

1. 1

   An elongated piece of wood or similar material, typically put to some use, for example as a wand or baton.; A small, thin branch from a tree or bush; a twig; a branch.countableuncountable

   • The beaver's dam was made out of sticks.
2. 2

   An elongated piece of wood or similar material, typically put to some use, for example as a wand or baton.; A relatively long, thin piece of wood, of any size.countableuncountable

   • I found several good sticks in the brush heap.
   • What do you call a boomerang that won't come back? A stick.
3. 3

   An elongated piece of wood or similar material, typically put to some use, for example as a wand or baton.; A timber board, especially a two by four (inches).UScountableuncountable

   • I found enough sticks in dumpsters at construction sites to build my shed.
4. 4

   An elongated piece of wood or similar material, typically put to some use, for example as a wand or baton.; A cane or walking stick (usually wooden, metal or plastic) to aid in walking.countableuncountable

   • I don’t need my stick to walk, but it’s helpful.
5. 5

   An elongated piece of wood or similar material, typically put to some use, for example as a wand or baton.; A cudgel or truncheon (usually of wood, metal or plastic), especially one carried by police or guards.countableuncountable

   • As soon as the fight started, the guards came in swinging their sticks.
6. 6

   An elongated piece of wood or similar material, typically put to some use, for example as a wand or baton.; The vertical member of a cope-and-stick joint.countableuncountable

   • When cutting the door parts, I cut all the copes first, then the sticks.
7. 7

   An elongated piece of wood or similar material, typically put to some use, for example as a wand or baton.; A mast or part of a mast of a ship; also, a yard.countableuncountable

8. 8

   An elongated piece of wood or similar material, typically put to some use, for example as a wand or baton.; A piece (of furniture, especially if wooden).countablefigurativelyuncountable

   • We were so poor we didn't have one stick of furniture.
9. 9

   An elongated piece of wood or similar material, typically put to some use, for example as a wand or baton.; A bar (counter where drinks are served).countableslanguncountable

   • I've been working behind the stick for twenty years.
10. 10

    Any roughly cylindrical (or rectangular) unit of a substance.countableuncountable

    • Sealing wax is available as a cylindrical or rectangular stick.

syn. stick · twig

1. 1

   To cut a piece of wood to be the stick member of a cope-and-stick joint.

2. 2

   To compose; to set, or arrange, in a composing stick.datedslangtransitive

   • to stick type
3. 3

   To furnish or set with sticks.transitive

4. 4

   To hit with a stick.

1. 1

   A thrust with a pointed instrument; a stab; an instance of sticking (pricking or piercing).countable

   • […]; but let me tell you, my brave boy, that a stick with a sword hurts worse than a prick with a needle.
   • What if Veronica Prego was lying about who drew the blood and it was her own carelessness, not Joyce Fogel's, which caused the needle stick?
2. 2

   An instance of piercing someone with a needle, e.g. to draw blood or start an IV.countableuncountable

   • […] hoping to get an easy stick. Well, that partially worked. She got the needle in the correct vein on the second stick. Ouch, ouch!
3. 3

   A person whom one is piercing with a needle to draw blood or start an IV (especially in the context of how difficult or easy this is).colloquialcountableuncountable

   • She put the tourniquet on Bella's arm […] Bella wasn't going to be an easy stick.
4. 4

   The tendency to stick (remain stuck), stickiness.uncountable

5. 5

   The tendency to stick (remain stuck), stickiness.; The traction of tires on the road surface.countableuncountable

6. 6

   That which sticks (remains attached to another surface).uncountable

7. 7

   That which sticks (remains attached to another surface).; The amount of fishing line resting on the water surface before a cast; line stick.countableuncountable

   • Problem: A lot of stick and a lack of energy on the forward stroke.
8. 8

   One who sticks at something; one who persists.countableinformalrare

   • There had been a reference to the language. "I often wished that I was a better stick at it," said Tulloch. "I'd picked up a bit in Bombay and of course I threw myself into it when Fraser got me the post. […]"

syn. stick · twig

1. 1

   To become or remain attached; to adhere.intransitive

   • The tape will not stick if it melts.
2. 2

   To jam; to stop moving.intransitive

   • The lever sticks if you push it too far up.
3. 3

   To tolerate, to endure, to stick with.transitive

   • Why do most course organizers stick the job for less than five years?
4. 4

   To persist.intransitive

   • His old nickname stuck.
5. 5

   Of snow, to remain frozen on landing.intransitive

6. 6

   To remain loyal; to remain firm.intransitive

   • Just stick to your strategy, and you will win.
7. 7

   To hesitate, to be reluctant; to refuse (in negative phrases).datedintransitive

   • , 2nd edition edited by Samuel Johnson, London: J. Payne, 1756, Part I, p. 12, Though a cup of cold water from some hand may not be without its reward, yet stick not thou for wine and oil for the wounds of the distressed […]
8. 8

   To be puzzled (at something), have difficulty understanding.datedintransitive

   • He that has to do with young scholars, especially in mathematics, may perceive how their minds open by degrees, and how it is exercise alone that opens them. Sometimes they will stick a long time at a part of a demonstration, not for want o
9. 9

   To cause difficulties, scruples, or hesitation.datedintransitive

   • 1708, Jonathan Swift, The Sentiments of a Church-of-England-Man, with respect to Religion and Government, in The Works of Jonathan Swift, 7th edition, Edinburgh: G. Hamilton et al., 1752, Volume I, Miscellanies in Prose, p. 73, […] this is
10. 10

    To attach with glue or as if by gluing.transitive

    • Stick the label on the jar.

1. 1

   Likely to stick; sticking, sticky.informal

   • A non-stick pan. A stick plaster.
   • A sticker type of glue. The stickest kind of gum.

1. 1

   The customary length (according to the material used) of a piece or roll of textile fabrics imported from Flanders.obsolete

syn. stick · twig