Stall

Definition

Stall refers to a stand for the sale of goods, especially in a market, or a situation in which an engine or vehicle stops because of a failure in the fuel supply. It can also refer to intentionally delaying a process or event.

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Verb

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /stɔl/
• Respelling: STAWL (with "STAWL" rhyming with "ball" and "call")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /stɔːl/
• Respelling: STAWL (similar to American English, with "STAWL" rhyming with "ball" and "call", but with a longer "aw" sound)

In both dialects, "stall" is pronounced with an "aw" sound, as in "ball" or "call." The main difference lies in the length of the vowel sound, with British English typically featuring a slightly longer "aw" sound compared to American English.

Etymology

The word "stall" has its roots in Old English "steall" which means a place, position, or standing, derived from Proto-Germanic *stallaz, akin to Old High German "stell."

Derivatives

• Staller
• Stalling
• Restall
• Stallion (different origin but phonetic similarity)
• Unstalled

Synonyms

• Booth (referring to a market stand)
• Stand (referring to a market stand)
• Halt (referring to a stoppage)

Antonyms

• Continue
• Proceed
• Advance

Usage

The word "stall" can refer to both a physical structure such as a market stand and an action or situation where a process is halted or delayed.

Related Terms

• Booth
• Stand
• Market
• Halt
• Delay

Detailed Definition

Noun

• Market Stand: A space or booth where goods are displayed and sold, usually within a larger market area.
• Example: "He set up a fruit stall in the local farmers' market."

• Stoppage: A situation wherein an engine or vehicle stops because of a failure in the fuel supply.
• Example: "The pilot managed to recover from the stall and regain control of the aircraft."

Verb

• Delay: To stop or delay a process or event, usually intentionally.
• Example: "The senator tried to stall the legislation by talking for hours."

• Stop Running: To cause an engine or vehicle to stop, usually because of a failure in the fuel supply.
• Example: "He stalled the car at the stoplight and had trouble starting it again."