stumper

stump

S0825600 (stŭmp)n.1. The part of a tree trunk left protruding from the ground after the tree has fallen or has been felled.2. A part, as of a branch, limb, or tooth, remaining after the main part has been cut away, broken off, or worn down.3. a. stumps Informal The legs.b. An artificial leg.4. Derogatory A short, thickset person.5. A heavy footfall.6. A place or an occasion used for political or campaign oratory: candidates out on the stump.7. A short, pointed roll of leather or paper or wad of rubber for rubbing on a charcoal or pencil drawing to shade or soften it.8. Sports Any of the three upright sticks in a cricket wicket.v. stumped, stump·ing, stumps v.tr.1. To reduce to a stump.2. To clear stumps from: stump a field.3. To stub (a toe or foot).4. To walk over heavily or clumsily.5. To traverse (a district or region) making political speeches.6. To shade (a drawing) with a stump.7. To challenge (someone); dare.8. To cause to be at a loss; baffle: stumped the teacher with a question.v.intr.1. To walk heavily or clumsily.2. To go about making political speeches.

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[Middle English stumpe, possibly from Middle Low German stump.]

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stump′er n.stump′i·ness n.stump′y adj.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

stumper - a particularly difficult or baffling question or problemtoughie, poser, stickerproblem - a question raised for consideration or solution; "our homework consisted of ten problems to solve"