stock still

See also: stock-still

English

Etymology

Inversion of earlier still as a stock, from stock (“tree-trunk”).

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU):

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Adjective

stock still (not comparable)

1. Very still; motionless.

   The team was stock still in front of the stable.

Adverb

stock still (not comparable)

1. (idiomatic) Without motion.
   • (Can we date this quote?) Sam T. Clover, Paul Travers' Adventures

     Paul stood stock still; then came a strong impulse to turn and run back.

   He lay stock still among the bodies and blasted equipment.

Further reading

• “stock still”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.
• “stock still”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.