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stalk1
—stalklike, adj./stawk/, n.1. the stem or main axis of a plant.2. any slender supporting or connecting part of a plant, as the petiole of a leaf, the peduncle of a flower, or the funicle of an ovule.3. a similar structural part of an animal.4. a stem, shaft, or slender supporting part of anything.5. Auto. a slender lever, usually mounted on or near the steering wheel, that is used by the driver to control a signal or function: The horn button is on the turn-signal stalk.[1275-1325; ME stalke, appar. equiv. to OE stal(u) stave + -k dim. suffix]stalk2/stawk/, v.i.1. to pursue or approach prey, quarry, etc., stealthily.2. to walk with measured, stiff, or haughty strides: He was so angry he stalked away without saying goodbye.3. to proceed in a steady, deliberate, or sinister manner: Famine stalked through the nation.4. Obs. to walk or go stealthily along.v.t.5. to pursue (game, a person, etc.) stealthily.6. to proceed through (an area) in search of prey or quarry: to stalk the woods for game.7. to proceed or spread through in a steady or sinister manner: Disease stalked the land.n.8. an act or course of stalking quarry, prey, or the like: We shot the mountain goat after a five-hour stalk.9. a slow, stiff stride or gait.[1250-1300; ME stalken (v.), repr. the base of OE bestealcian to move stealthily, stealcung stalking (ger.); akin to STEAL]
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Universalium. 2010.