To stock an anchor (Naut.), to fit it with a stock, or to fasten the
stock firmly in place. -- To stock cards (Card Playing), to arrange
cards in a certain manner for cheating purposes. [Cant] -- To stock
down (Agric.), to sow, as plowed land, with grass seed, in order that
it may become swarded, and produce grass. -- To stock up, to extirpate;
to dig up.
Stock, a. Used or employed for constant service or application, as if
constituting a portion of a stock or supply; standard; permanent;
standing; as, a stock actor; a stock play; a stock sermon. "A stock
charge against Raleigh." C. Kingsley.
Stock company (Theater), a company of actors regularly employed at one
theater, or permanently acting together in various plays under one
management.
Stock*ade" (?), n. [F. estacade stockade, boom (confused in French with
estocade; see 1st Stoccado); fr. It. steccata a palisade (influenced by
OF. estach, estaque, a stake, post), or from Sp. estacada a palisade;
both of German origin, and akin to E. stake, stick; cf. G. stecken
stick, OHG. steccho. See Stake, n., Stick, n. & v. t., and cf.
Estacade, Stacket.] 1. (Mil.) A line of stout posts or timbers set
firmly in the earth in contact with each other (and usually with
loopholes) to form a barrier, or defensive fortification. [Written also
stoccade.]