stall

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English steall; akin to Old High German stal place, stall and perhaps to Latin locus (Old Latin stlocus) place Date: before 12th century 1. a. a compartment for a domestic animal in a stable or barn b. a space marked off for parking a motor vehicle 2. a. a seat in the chancel of a church with back and sides wholly or partly enclosed b. a church pew c. chiefly British a front orchestra seat in a theater — usually used in plural 3. a booth, stand, or counter at which articles are displayed for sale 4. a protective sheath for a finger or toe 5. a small compartment <

a shower stall

>; especially one with a toilet or urinal II. verb Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. to put into or keep in a stall 2. obsolete install 1 3. a. to bring to a standstill ; block; especially mire b. to cause (an engine) to stop usually inadvertently c. to cause (an aircraft or airfoil) to go into a stall intransitive verb 1. to come to a standstill (as from mired wheels or engine failure) 2. to experience a stall in flying III. noun Date: 1916 the condition of an airfoil or aircraft in which excessive angle of attack causes disruption of airflow with attendant loss of lift IV. noun Etymology: alteration of stale lure Date: 1846 a ruse to deceive or delay V. verb Etymology: 4stall Date: 1903 intransitive verb to play for time ; delay transitive verb to hold off, divert, or delay by evasion or deception