Stake"-driv`er (?), n. (Zoöl.) The common American bittern (Botaurus
lentiginosus); -- so called because one of its notes resembles the
sound made in driving a stake into the mud. Called also meadow hen, and
Indian hen.
Stake"head` (?), n. (Rope making) A horizontal bar on a stake, used for
supporting the yarns which are kept apart by pins in the bar.
Stake"hold`er (?), n. The holder of a stake; one with whom the bets are
deposited when a wager is laid.
Stak*tom"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?; falling by drops + -meter.] A drop
measurer; a glass tube tapering to a small orifice at the point, and
having a bulb in the middle, used for finding the number of drops in
equal quantities of different liquids. See Pipette. Sir D. Brewster.
Stal (?), obs. imp. of Steal. Stole.
{ Sta*lac"tic (?), Sta*lac"tic*al (?) }, a. (Geol.) Stalactitic.
Sta*lac"ti*form (?), a. Like a stalactite; resembling a stalactite.
Sta*lac"tite (?), n.; pl. Stalactites (#). [Gr. &?; oozing out in
drops, dropping, fr. &?; to drop: cf. F. stalactite.] (Geol.) (a) A
pendent cone or cylinder of calcium carbonate resembling an icicle in
form and mode of attachment. Stalactites are found depending from the
roof or sides of caverns, and are produced by deposition from waters
which have percolated through, and partially dissolved, the overlying
limestone rocks. (b) In an extended sense, any mineral or rock of
similar form and origin; as, a stalactite of lava.
||Stal`ac*ti"tes (?), n. [NL.] A stalactite. [Obs.] Woodward.
{ Stal`ac*tit"ic (?), Stal`ac*tit"ic*al (?) }, a. [Cf. F.
stalactitique.] (Geol.) Of or pertaining to a stalactite; having the
form or characters of a stalactite; stalactic.
Stal`ac*tit"i*form (?), a. Having the form of a stalactite;
stalactiform.
Sta*lag"mite (?), n. [Gr. &?; that which drops, a drop, fr. &?; to
drop; cf. F. stalagmite.] (Geol.) A deposit more or less resembling an
inverted stalactite, formed by calcareous water dropping on the floors
of caverns; hence, a similar deposit of other material.
{ Stal`ag*mit"ic (?), Stal`ag*mit"ic*al (?) }, a. Having the form or
structure of stalagmites. -- Stal`ag*mit"ic*al*ly, adv.
Stal"der (?), n. [From the root of stall.] A wooden frame to set casks
on. [Prov. Eng.]
Stale (?), n. [OE. stale, stele, AS. stæl, stel; akin to LG. & D.
steel, G. stiel; cf. L. stilus stake, stalk, stem, Gr. &?; a handle,
and E. stall, stalk, n.] The stock or handle of anything; as, the stale
of a rake. [Written also steal, stele, etc.]
But seeling the arrow's stale without, and that the head did go No
further than it might be seen.
Chapman.
Stale, a. [Akin to stale urine, and to stall, n.; probably from Low
German or Scandinavian. Cf. Stale, v. i.] 1. Vapid or tasteless from
age; having lost its life, spirit, and flavor, from being long kept;
as, stale beer.