stick

stick¹

noun

1》 a thin piece of wood that has fallen or been cut off a tree.

    ↘a stick used for support in walking or as a weapon.

    ↘(the sticks) informal goalposts or cricket stumps.

    ↘Nautical, archaic a mast or spar.

2》 (in hockey, polo, etc.) a long, thin implement with a curved head or angled blade, used to hit or direct the ball or puck.

    ↘(sticks) (in field hockey) the foul play of raising the stick above the shoulder.

3》 a long, thin object or piece of something: a stick of dynamite.

    ↘a conductor's baton.

    ↘a gear or control lever.

4》 the threat of punishment as a means of persuasion (as contrasted with the ‘carrot’ or enticement).

    ↘Brit. informal severe criticism or treatment.

5》 (the sticks) informal, derogatory rural areas.

6》 informal, dated a person of a specified kind: Janet's not a bad old stick.

7》 a small group of soldiers assigned to a particular duty.

8》 a group of bombs or paratroopers dropped from an aircraft.

9》 Stock Exchange a large quantity of unsold stock, especially the proportion of shares which must be taken up by underwriters after an unsuccessful issue.

Phrases

up sticks Brit. informal go to live elsewhere. [from naut. sl. to up sticks 'set up a boat's mast' (ready for departure).]

Origin

OE sticca 'peg, stick, spoon', of W. Gmc origin.

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stick²

verb (past and past participle stuck)

1》 insert, thrust, or push (an object or its point) into or through something.

    ↘(stick in/into/through) be or remain fixed with its point embedded in.

    ↘stab or pierce with a sharp object.

2》 put somewhere in a quick or careless way.

    ↘informal used to express angry dismissal of a particular thing: they can stick the job.

3》 protrude or extend in a certain direction.

4》 adhere or cause to adhere.

5》 (be stuck) be fixed in a particular position or unable to move or be moved.

    ↘be unable to progress with a task or find the answer or solution.

    ↘(be stuck for) be at a loss for or in need of.

    ↘(be stuck with) informal be unable to get rid of or escape from.

    ↘(be stuck on) informal be infatuated with.

6》 Brit. informal accept; tolerate; endure: I can't stick Geoffrey.

    ↘(stick at) informal persevere with (a task or endeavour).

    ↘(stick it out) informal put up with or persevere with something difficult or disagreeable.

Phrases

get stuck in (or into) Brit. informal start doing something with determination.

stick in one's throat (or craw) be difficult or impossible to accept.

stick it to informal, chiefly N. Amer. treat harshly.

stick one's neck out informal risk incurring criticism or anger by acting or speaking boldly.

Phrasal verbs

stick around informal remain in or near a place.

stick by continue to support or be loyal to.

stick something on informal place the blame for a mistake or wrongdoing on.

stick out be extremely noticeable.

stick out for refuse to accept less than.

stick to continue or confine oneself to doing, using, or practising.

stick together informal remain united or mutually loyal.

stick someone/thing up informal rob someone or something at gunpoint.

stick up for support or defend.

stick with informal persevere or continue with.

Derivatives

stickability noun

Origin

OE stician, of Gmc origin.