a. [ Akin to stale urine, and to stall, n.; probably from Low German or Scandinavian. Cf. Stale, v. i. ]
Wit itself, if stale is less pleasing. Grew. [ 1913 Webster ]
How weary, stale flat, and unprofitable
Seem to me all the uses of this world! Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
Stale affidavit (Law),
Stale demand (Law),
n. [ OE. stale, stele, AS. stael, stel; akin to LG. & D. steel, G. stiel; cf. L. stilus stake, stalk, stem, Gr.
But seeing the arrow's stale without, and that the head did go
No further than it might be seen. Chapman. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t.
Age can not wither her, nor custom stale
Her infinite variety. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. i. [ Akin to D. & G. stallen, Dan. stalle, Sw. stalla, and E. stall a stable. √ 163. See Stall, n., and cf. Stale, a. ] To make water; to discharge urine; -- said especially of horses and cattle. Hudibras. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ See Stale, a. & v. i. ]
n. [ Cf. OF. estal place, position, abode, market, F. étal a butcher's stall, OHG. stal station, place, stable, G. stall (see Stall, n.); or from OE. stale theft, AS. stalu (see Steal, v. t.). ]
Still, as he went, he crafty stales did lay. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]
adv.
v. t. (Chess) To subject to a stalemate; hence, to bring to a stand. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. (Chess) The position of the king when he can not move without being placed in check and there is no other piece which can be moved. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. The quality or state of being stale. [ 1913 Webster ]