stale
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
Contents |
[edit] English
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Etymology 1
Origin uncertain.
[edit] Adjective
stale (comparative staler, superlative stalest)
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Positive |
- Having lost its freshness from age. Stale food, for instance, is food which is still edible but has lost its deliciousness.
- The steak is as stale as the beer.
- If you don't enter a room for some days, the air will become stale.
- No longer new; no longer interesting; established; old; as, stale news, a stale joke, etc.
[edit] Antonyms
[edit] Translations
having lost its freshness
no longer new or interesting
[edit] Noun
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Singular |
Plural |
stale (plural stales)
- (Shakespearian) A woman who is “no longer fresh” or who has lost her virginity.
- Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing, Act IV, Scene i, lines 59-60:
- I stand dishonor'd, that have gone about
- To link my dear friend to a common stale
- Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing, Act IV, Scene i, lines 59-60:
[edit] Antonyms
- fresh (1)
[edit] Related terms
[edit] Etymology 2
From Old French estal ( > French étal), from Frankish *stal, from Proto-Germanic *stallo-, earlier *staþlo-. Ultimately related to stand.
[edit] Noun
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Singular |
Plural |
stale (plural stales)
- (obsolete) A person's position, especially in a battle-line.
- 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book V:
- for ony stowre that ever ye see us bestadde, stondys in your stale and sterte ye no ferther.
- 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book V:
- (obsolete) An ambush.
- (obsolete) A division of armed men posted in a specific place, either for an ambush or for other reasons.
