stalk1 nounstalk2 verb
stalkstalk1 /stɔːk $ stɒːk/ noun [countable] 
Word OriginWORD ORIGINstalk1
ExamplesOrigin:
1300-1400 Perhaps from stale ‘step of a ladder, long handle’ (11-19 centuries), from Old English staluEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
word sets- Two flowers usually develop on each stalk.
- But tonight he would like to have something equivalent to a stalk of bananas to purchase, circa 1910.
- He was now holding long stalks of fresh herbs which he dipped into the Holy Water.
- If possible, flowers from different floral stalks should be used.
- One parent plant can provide up to twenty new ones from four to five stalks during the vegetative period.
- Peel and quarter the stalks lengthways.
- Put the mushrooms to one side and chop the stalks.
- The column stalks are fine: indicators, lights and horn on the left, wipers on the right.
- The next time up the stalk, Jack stole a hen that laid golden eggs.
WORD SETS► DAILY LIFE
CollocationsAC, accessory, nounadapter, nounaerosol, nounalarm, nounarm, nounash, nounattaché case, nounbag, nounbar, nounbarrel, nounbeep, verbbeeswax, nounbell, nounbelly, nounbelt, nounbench, nounbenzine, nounbinding, nounbiro, nounbolt, nounbooth, nounbox, nounbox, verbbrad, nounbriefcase, nounbristle, nounbrolly, nounbrush, nounbucket, nounbuckle, nounbuffer, nounbulb, nounBulldog clip, nounbulletin board, nounbullhorn, nounbung, nounbunting, nounbusiness card, nounbutt, nounbutton, nounbuzzer, nouncable, nouncalling card, nouncan, nouncandle, nouncane, nouncarbon, nouncarbon copy, nouncarbon paper, nouncard, nouncardboard, nouncardboard, adjectivecardboard cut-out, nouncard catalog, nouncarrier, nouncarrier bag, nouncarryall, nouncart, nouncarton, nouncartridge, nouncase, nouncaster, nouncatch, nounCellophane, nouncesspit, nounchain, nounchalice, nounchannel, nounchart, nounchute, nouncitronella, nounclamp, nouncleat, nounclip, nounclipboard, nouncomb, nouncombination lock, nouncompartment, nouncord, nouncrank, nouncrate, nouncrepe paper, nouncycle, noundetector, noundial, noundigital, adjectivedisposable, adjectivedrape, verbdrawing pin, noundryer, noundurable goods, nounDurex, nounearplug, nounelastic band, nouneraser, nouneyelet, nounfabric, nounfelt-tip pen, nounfemale, adjectivefence, nounfiberglass, nounfibreglass, nounfigurine, nounfilament, nounfile, verbFilofax, nounfire extinguisher, nounfirewood, nounfitness, nounflag, nounflagon, nounflagstaff, nounflashlight, nounflat, adjectivefloodlight, nounfoam, nounfoam, verbfog, verbfolder, nounfoolscap, nounforecourt, nounfountain, nounfountain pen, nounframe, nounfunnel, nounfuse, noungadget, noungadgetry, noungargle, verbgas, nounglue, noungoggles, noungold card, noungranny knot, noungravel, noungravelled, adjectivegravelly, adjectivegrease, noungreetings card, noungrommet, noungum, noungun, noungunnysack, noungut, nounhand-held, adjectivehandle, nounhandloom, nounharness, nounhasp, nounhealth, nounhessian, nounhinge, nounhip, nounhoarding, nounhoist, nounholder, nounhook, nounhoop, nounhooter, nounhose, nounhosepipe, nounhub, nounhygiene, nounhygienic, adjectiveillness, nounindented, adjectiveinflatable, adjectiveingrained, adjectiveink, nouninn, nouninnkeeper, nouninsoluble, adjectiveivory, nounjacket, nounjack-knife, nounjoss stick, nounjuggle, verbkey, nounkeypad, nounkey ring, nounKleenex, nounknife, nounknob, nounlabel, nounladder, nounlantern, nounlatch, nounlatchkey, nounlather, nounlather, verbLCD, nounlead, nounlectern, nounlegal pad, nounlens, nounletterbox, nounlever, nounlibrary, nounlid, nounlidded, adjectivelift, nounlight, nounlight bulb, nounlink, nounlinseed oil, nounlitter bin, nounlock, nounlodestone, nounlog, nounloop, verblost property, nounmagnet, nounmagnetic, adjectivemagnifying glass, nounmale, adjectivemantle, nounmanual, adjectivemarker, nounmarker pen, nounmarket day, nounmast, nounmastic, nounmatchstick, nounmaterial, nounmeter, nounmeths, nounmode, nounmortar, nounmortise lock, nounmould, nounmounting, nounmovement, nounnail, nounnameplate, nounnet, nounnib, nounnipple, nounnon-standard, adjectivenoose, nounnotebook, nounnotepad, nounnoticeboard, nounnozzle, nounnut, nounoil, verboilcan, nounoily, adjectiveorb, nounoutfit, nounoutlet, nounovernight, adverbpack, verbpackage, nounpad, nounpad, verbpadlock, nounpaintwork, nounpantyliner, nounpaper, nounpaperclip, nounpasserby, nounpaste, verbpasteboard, nounpatron, nounpatronage, nounpatronize, verbpattern, nounpaving, nounpearl, nounpen, nounpenknife, nounpicket fence, nounpillbox, nounpince-nez, nounpinhead, nounpipe, nounpix, nounpizza parlor, nounplug, nounpocket, nounpocketbook, nounpocket calculator, nounpocket knife, nounpointer, nounpoison, nounpole, nounportfolio, nounPost-it, nounpowder, nounpowdered, adjectivepropellant, nounpropelling pencil, nounpump-action, adjectivePX, nounquarter, verbrack, nounreceptionist, nounreel, nounrefill, nounreflector, nounrefrigerate, verbregimen, nounreservation, nounreserve, verbsachet, nounsack, nounscratchpad, nounscratch paper, nounscreen, nounsealant, nounsealer, nounsearchlight, nounseason ticket, nounseat, nounself-assembly, adjectiveseptic tank, nounservice, nounservice, verbsetting, nounshade, nounsharpener, nounshovel, nounshovel, verbshovelful, nounsilver paper, nounsiphon, nounslat, nounslice, verbslot machine, nounslug, nounsmoke, nounsoot, nounsort, nounspare part, nounspigot, nounsponge, nounspool, nounspout, nounspray, nounspray can, nounspray paint, nounspring, nounstaff, nounstake, nounstalk, nounstandard, nounstaple, nounstapler, nounstationery, nounsteam, nounsteam clean, verbsteel, nounsteel wool, nounstepladder, nounstick, verbstick, nounsticker, nounstilt, nounstopper, nounstorm lantern, nounstrap, nounstreamer, nounstring, nounstub, nounsucker, nounSuperglue, nounswipe, verbswitch, nounswivel, nountab, nountack, nountag, nountag, verbtank, nountap, nountape, nountassel, nountattle, verbtea break, nounthong, nounthread, nountime-saving, adjectivetinder, nountinderbox, nountissue, nountop, nountote bag, nountowel, verbtray, nountrolley, nountube, nountubing, nountwine, nountwo-way mirror, nounumbrella, nounvent, nounvial, nounwaiting room, nounwasher, nounwaste paper, nounwatch, nounwaterspout, nounwheeled, adjectivewhistle, verbwooden, adjectivewriting paper, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE► long
1· Description: The leaves are arranged in a rosette, and have very long stalks.· He was now holding long stalks of fresh herbs which he dipped into the Holy Water.· The next leaves are floating ones borne on long stalks.· They are borne on long, green stalks.· The blooms are carried on long stalks and are over an inch across.· Description: This plant has heart-shaped leaves with long stalks, which are olive green and slightly corrugated.
► short· The leaves had distinct short stalks, a clue that it was a sessile oak.· These plants have a strong and firm rhizome from which a very short stalk bearing four to seven leaves develops.· These are borne on short stalks.· One of these is Udotea, a fan-like plant that is attached to the bottom by a short stalk.
NOUN► celery· Chop ¼ red pepper, 2 spring onions, 1 celery stalk, 2 cooked new potatoes, cucumber and 2 mushrooms.· Celery root and celery stalks are both edible, as are beets and beet greens.
VERB► chop· Put the mushrooms to one side and chop the stalks.
a long narrow part of a plant that supports leaves, fruits, or flowers: 
celery stalks2a thin upright object3somebody’s eyes are out on stalks British English informal if your eyes are out on stalks, you are very surprised or shockedstalk1 nounstalk2 verb
stalkstalk2 verb Word OriginWORD ORIGINstalk2
Verb TableOrigin:
Old English bestealcianVERB TABLE
stalk
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | stalk |
| he, she, it | stalks | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | stalked |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have stalked |
| he, she, it | has stalked | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had stalked |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will stalk |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have stalked |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am stalking |
| he, she, it | is stalking | |
| you, we, they | are stalking | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was stalking |
| you, we, they | were stalking | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been stalking |
| he, she, it | has been stalking | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been stalking |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be stalking |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been stalking |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
Thesaurus- Crocodiles have been known to actively stalk and kill humans.
- Polar bears stalk seals that are resting on the ice.
- Police are making more effort to catch criminals who stalk women.
- The killer would stalk his victim, overpower her and then brutally murder her.
- History stalks the Kremlin: Khrushchev fell 25 years ago, and the parallels with today are stark.
- I stalked amongst the booths and ramshackle dwellings built against the wall.
- She stalked off across the road, her hat jammed firmly on her head and her mouth set in a mutinous line.
- Sheffield was forced to move because he was stalked for two to three months early last season.
- The cats stalked a paper bag.
- The House Committee on Assassinations found in 1978 that you stalked my father for over a year?
- Thus stereotypes that had confidently been buried with stakes through their hearts rose up to stalk women once more.
THESAURUS► follow
Collocations to walk, drive etc behind or after someone, for example in order to see where they are going: · The man had followed her home to find out where she lived.· Follow that car!· He hired a detective to follow her.
► chase to quickly run or drive after someone or something in order to catch them when they are trying to escape: · Police chased the car along the motorway at speeds of up to 90 mph.
► run after somebody/go after somebody to quickly follow someone or something in order to stop them or talk to them: · I ran after him to say sorry, but he’d already got on the bus.
► stalk to secretly follow an animal in order to kill it, or to secretly follow a person in order to attack them: · a tiger stalking its prey· He had a long history of stalking women in his neighbourhood.
► pursue written to chase someone in a very determined way: · The ship was being pursued by enemy submarines.
► give chase written to chase someone or something who is trying to escape from you: · One of the officers gave chase and arrested the man.· The calf ran away and the lion gave chase.
► tail to secretly follow someone in order to watch what they do and where they go: · Apparently, the police had been tailing the terrorists for months.
► track to follow and find a person or animal by looking at the marks they leave on the ground: · The bushmen were tracking antelope in the Kalahari desert.
Longman Language Activatorto closely follow a person or animal in order to watch them► follow · He followed her home to find out where she lived.· Did you make sure you weren't followed on the way over here?· She complained to the police officer that she was being followed by two strangers.
► tail informal if someone such as a police officer tails someone, they secretly follow that person to find out where they are going or what they are doing: · That police car has been tailing us for the last 5 miles.· A group of photographers tailed the couple all over London.
► be/sit on somebody's tail to follow close behind someone, especially in order to watch or catch them: · A police car was on their tail within seconds of the alarm going off.· We sat on their tail for about an hour until we lost them in traffic.
► shadow to follow someone or something very closely in order to watch all their movements without them realizing that they are being followed: · I want you to shadow him for the next three days and find out who he hangs out with.· Consumed with jealousy, he shadowed her for three days, hoping to catch her with her lover.
► track/trail to follow a person or animal closely, especially by looking for signs showing that they have gone in a particular direction: · Undercover agents have been tracking him for weeks.· It would be impossible to trail anyone across this type of ground.track/trail somebody to something: · The police trailed the gang to their hideout.· Dogs are used to track the wolves to their lair in the forest.
► hound to keep following someone and asking them questions about their activities, personal problems etc, in a way that is annoying or threatening: · After the court case she was hounded relentlessly by the press.· The couple found themselves hounded by photographers as they left the church.
► stalk to follow a person or animal quietly in order to catch, injure, kill them: · Polar bears stalk seals that are resting on the ice.· The killer would stalk his victim, overpower her and then brutally murder her.
► stalker a criminal or mentally ill person who continuously follows and watches someone in a threatening way, especially someone famous or someone they are attracted to: · Women's groups are demanding that Congress toughen the law against stalkers.· The stalker's reappearance has led to increased security around the actress.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB► away
1[transitive] to follow a person or animal quietly in order to catch and attack or kill them → shadow: · While out ploughing a horseman had noticed a stoat some distance away stalking a rabbit.· Finally, my temper spent, I stalked away.· She waited until it had stalked away before picking up the remains of the Geiger-Muller counter and dropping them into the holdall.· I turned and stalked away to the servants' quarters.· And then he turned and stalked away.· Spinning on her heel, she stalked away with her head in the air.
► off· She stalked off across the road, her hat jammed firmly on her head and her mouth set in a mutinous line.· Jody stalked off the court looking for the culprits.· Then he spun on his heel and stalked off round the side of the cart.· She stalked off to her trailer, but he could see by her walk that she was feeling better.· After that she stalked off and refused to come near me.· Alistair said, and stalked off, muttering to himself.· She stalked off, leaving Bernice shaken and alone.· She kept blowing her lines and she had finally stalked off the set in a rage.
► out· When he stalked out he left her with a motley crew mostly of accountants and lawyers.· She stalks out of the locker room and into a knot of sports reporters.· Without another word she turned and stalked out, leaving him to follow.· With that, he stalked out of the room.· He stalked out and posted it.
NOUN► street· Kong, too, escaped the police and is still, presumably, stalking the streets looking for more victims.· He had two messages for the public and the victims of the killer gangs stalking Ulster's streets.
a tiger stalking its prey We know the rapist stalks his victims at night.► see thesaurus at follow2[transitive] to follow and watch someone over a long period of time in a way that is very annoying or threatening, and that is considered a crime in some places: She was stalked by an obsessed fan.3[intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to walk in a proud or angry way, with long stepsstalk out/off/away Yvonne turned and stalked out of the room in disgust.4[transitive] literary if something bad stalks a place, you see or feel it everywhere in that place: Fear stalks every dark stairwell and walkway.