%stale%

n. [ Rake the instrument + stale a handle. ] The handle of a rake. [ 1913 Webster ]

That tale is not worth a rakestele. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. stale, stele, AS. stael, stel; akin to LG. & D. steel, G. stiel; cf. L. stilus stake, stalk, stem, Gr. steleo`n a handle, and E. stall, stalk, n. ] The stock or handle of anything; as, the stale of a rake. [ Written also steal, stele, etc. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

But seeing the arrow's stale without, and that the head did go
No further than it might be seen. Chapman. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Not new; not freshly made; as, stale bread. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Having lost the life or graces of youth; worn out; decayed. “A stale virgin.” Spectator. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Worn out by use or familiarity; having lost its novelty and power of pleasing; trite; common. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

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), an affidavit held above a year. Craig. --
Stale demand (Law), a claim or demand which has not been pressed or demanded for a long time. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Staled p. pr. & vb. n. Staling. ] To make vapid or tasteless; to destroy the life, beauty, or use of; to wear out. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. ] 1. That which is stale or worn out by long keeping, or by use. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A prostitute. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Urine, esp. that of beasts. “Stale of horses.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

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.). ] 1. Something set, or offered to view, as an allurement to draw others to any place or purpose; a decoy; a stool pigeon. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Still, as he went, he crafty stales did lay. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A stalking-horse. [ Obs. ] B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Chess) A stalemate. [ Obs. ] Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A laughingstock; a dupe. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. 1. In a stale manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Of old; long since. [ Obs. ] B. Jonson. [ 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 ]

v. t. (Chess) To subject to a stalemate; hence, to bring to a stand. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being stale. [ 1913 Webster ]