stick

plural sticks · alternative obsolete sticke

1. An elongated piece of wood or similar material, typically put to some use, for example as a wand or baton.
   1. countableuncountableA small, thin branch from a tree or bush; a twig; a branch.

      The beaver's dam was made out of sticks.

      1 more example

      Energy has seldom been found where we need it when we want it. Ancient nomads, wishing to ward off the evening chill and enjoy a meal around a campfire, had to collect wood and then spend time and effort coaxing the heat of friction out from between sticks to kindle a flame.

      2013 July-August, Henry Petroski, “Geothermal Energy”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 4

      Synonyms: branch, twig, rice, kindling, brush

   2. countableuncountableA relatively long, thin piece of wood, of any size.

      I found several good sticks in the brush heap.

      2 more examples

      What do you call a boomerang that won't come back? A stick.

      It is a fine stick, about 70 feet long.

      1887 August 23, “At Work on the Thistle”, in The New York Times

   3. UScountableuncountableA timber board, especially a two by four (inches).

      I found enough sticks in dumpsters at construction sites to build my shed.

      Synonyms: two by four

   4. countableuncountableA cane or walking stick (usually wooden, metal or plastic) to aid in walking.

      I don’t need my stick to walk, but it’s helpful.

      1 more example

      The slightest effort made the patient cough. He would stand leaning on a stick and holding a hand to his side, and when the paroxysm had passed it left him shaking.

      1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter XXIII, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC

      Synonyms: cane, walking stick

   5. countableuncountableA cudgel or truncheon (usually of wood, metal or plastic), especially one carried by police or guards.

      As soon as the fight started, the guards came in swinging their sticks.

   6. countableuncountablebusinessThe vertical member of a cope-and-stick joint.

      When cutting the door parts, I cut all the copes first, then the sticks.

      1997, Joseph Beals, “Building Interior Doors”, in Doors, Taunton Press, →ISBN, page 82

   7. countableuncountablenauticalA mast or part of a mast of a ship; also, a yard.
   8. countablefigurativelyuncountableA piece (of furniture, especially if wooden).

      We were so poor we didn't have one stick of furniture.

      1 more example

      It is more than poor Philip is worth, with all his savings and his little sticks of furniture.

      1862, W.M. Thackeray, The Adventures of Philip, printed in Harper's New Monthly Magazine volume XXV edition, page 242

      Synonyms: piece, item

   9. countableslanguncountableA bar (counter where drinks are served).

      I've been working behind the stick for twenty years.

      1 more example

      […] other side of the stick, that's what they call the bar around here.

      1946, The Ladies' Home Journal, volume 63, page 205

2. countableuncountableAny roughly cylindrical (or rectangular) unit of a substance.

   Sealing wax is available as a cylindrical or rectangular stick.

   1. CanadaUScountableuncountableA small rectangular block, with a length several times its width, which contains by volume one half of a cup of shortening (butter, margarine or lard).

      The recipe calls for half a stick of butter.

   2. countableuncountableA standard rectangular strip of chewing gum.

      Don’t hog all that gum, give me a stick!

   3. countableslanguncountableA cigarette (usually a tobacco cigarette, less often a marijuana cigarette).

      Cigarettes are taxed at one dollar per stick.

      Synonyms: joint, reefer

3. Material or objects attached to a stick or the like.
   1. countableuncountableA bunch of something wrapped around or attached to a stick.

      My parents bought us each a stick of cotton candy.

   2. archaiccountableuncountableA scroll that is rolled around (mounted on, attached to) a stick.

      Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it[…]

      1611, The Bible, King James Version edition, Ezekiel 37:16

   3. countableuncountablegovernmentThe structure to which a set of bombs in a bomber aircraft are attached and which drops the bombs when it is released. The bombs themselves and, by extension, any load of similar items dropped in quick succession such as paratroopers or containers.

      A stick of bombs fell straight across Wotton; blew up half a dozen houses.

      2006, Farley Mowat, Aftermath: Travels in a Post-War World, →ISBN, page 200

      2 more examples

      Scores of transport planes streamed in to drop stick after stick of containers until the entire sky over the coast was polka-dotted with brightly coloured parachutes.

      2001, Raymond Mitchell, Commando Despatch Rider, →ISBN, page 70

      James and I were in the same stick of five guys going through free fall school last September.

      2006, Holly Aho, From Here to There, →ISBN, page 48

      Synonyms: train

4. A tool, control, or instrument shaped somewhat like a stick.
   1. UScolloquialcountableuncountableA manual transmission, a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission, so called because of the stick-like, i.e. twig-like, control (the gear shift) with which the driver of such a vehicle controls its transmission.

      I grew up driving a stick, but many people my age didn't.

      Synonyms: stickshift, gearstick

   2. UScolloquialuncountableVehicles, collectively, equipped with manual transmissions.

      I grew up driving stick, but many people my age didn't.

      Synonyms: stickshift, gearstick

   3. countableuncountableaeronauticsThe control column of an aircraft; a joystick. (By convention, a wheel-like control mechanism with a handgrip on opposite sides, similar to the steering wheel of an automobile, can also be called the "stick", although "yoke" or "control wheel" is more commonly seen.)
   4. uncountableaeronauticsUse of the stick to control the aircraft.

      For example: in making a turn, should you throw on too much stick and not enough rudder, you'll sideslip.

      1941, Jay D. Blaufox, 33 Lessons in Flying, page 47

   5. USWorld War IcountableslanguncountablegovernmentAn aircraft’s propeller.
   6. countableuncountablevideo gamesA joystick.

      The keyboard offers a full range of actions including Fight and you are given the option of using a Kempston stick for the movement combat.

      1985 December, Richard Price, Fairlight (video game review) in Your Sinclair issue 45

      1 more example

      When you’re swooping, looping, and diving with the analog stick (either using the nunchuk or the Classic controller), the game feels very much like its 32-bit predecessor; […]

      2007 December 28, Chris Hoffman, “Neverending Nights”, in Nintendo Power, volume 222, page 30

   7. countableuncountablecomputingA memory stick.

      For ultimate presentation portability, a Powerpoint can be saved to a stick as images.

      2007 May 1, Alex Fethiere, “Business Traveler”, in Tech front: Alex Fethiere takes eleven notable portables for a high-tech test-drive

   8. countableslanguncountableA handgun.

      A stick in the hand, a drop in the eye.

      2007 September 18, “Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya”, in Joseph B. Geoghegan (lyrics), The Meanest of Times, performed by Dropkick Murphys

      2 more examples

      You think you’re real now you’ve got a couple sticks? My favourite younger, he got stabbed in my bits. And if he died fam, I promise I’d have quit.

      2013 April 8, “Off the Record”, in Topic of Discussion, performed by Yungen

      Bitch, pig, pull out with the stick / everything I hit like a lick/ We don’t miss

      2018 July 27, “Strip Talk”, Marty Mula (lyrics), 1:52

   9. countabledateduncountableletterpress typographyA composing stick, the tool used by compositors to assemble lines of type.

      […]although the headings may often be in other type, still, as these are composed in the same stick, they cannot fail to justify;[…]

      1854, Thomas Ford, The Compositor's Handbook, page 125

   10. countableslanguncountablejazzThe clarinet.

       Arsene, boy, ain't you worried about your clarinet? Where'd you leave that stick, man?

       1948, Frederic Ramsey, Jr., “Deep Sea Rider”, in Charles Harvey, editor, Jazz Parody: Anthology of Jazz Fiction

       Synonyms: licorice stick, liquorice stick

5. A stick-like item:
   1. countableuncountablegenericallyhobbiesA long thin implement used to control a ball or puck in sports like hockey, polo, and lacrosse.

      Tripping with the stick is a violation of the rules.

   2. countableuncountablehobbiesThe short whip carried by a jockey.
   3. countableuncountablehobbiesA board as used in board sports, such as a surfboard, snowboard, or skateboard.
   4. countableuncountablegolfThe pole bearing a small flag that marks the hole.

      His wedge shot bounced off the stick and went in the hole.

      Synonyms: pin, flagstick

   5. USslanguncountablehobbiesThe cue used in billiards, pool, snooker, etc.

      His stroke with that two-piece stick is a good as anybody's in the club.

   6. UScountableslanguncountablehobbiesThe game of pool, or an individual pool game.

      He shoots a mean stick of pool.

      1 more example

      Come in, have a good time, drink some beer, shoot some stick, listen to some music.

      2003, Lew Bryson, New York Breweries, →ISBN, page 74

6. Ability; specifically:
   1. countableuncountablegolfThe long-range driving ability of a golf club.

      I doubted that the three iron was enough stick.

      1988, William Hallberg, The Rub of the Green, page 219

   2. countableuncountableball gamesThe potential hitting power of a specific bat.
   3. countableuncountableball gamesGeneral hitting ability.

      Vaughn has to hit and keep hitting or this will be another year when the Mets don't have enough stick to win.

      2002 May 19, Mike Lupica, “Just Need A Little Mo”, in New York Daily News

   4. countableuncountablefield hockey or ice hockeyhobbiesThe potential accuracy of a hockey stick, implicating also the player using it.
7. countabledatedslanguncountableA person or group of people. (Perhaps, in some senses, because people are, broadly speaking, tall and thin, like pieces of wood.)

   Your father's a great old stick. He's really been very good to me.

   1967, Maurice Shadbolt, The Presence of Music: Three Novellas, page 54

   1 more example

   “[…]He’s a good doctor but an odd stick—odder by far than I am, Emily, and yet nobody ever says he’s not all there. Can you account for that? He doesn’t believe in God—and I am not such a fool as that.”

   1923, Lucy Maud Montgomery, “Chapter 7”, in Emily of New Moon

   1. countabledatedslanguncountableA thin or wiry person; particularly a flat-chested woman.

      "She's a stick, this one. She lacks your—" he patted her left breast— "equipment."

      1967, Cecelia Holland, Rakóssy, page 39

   2. countabledatedslanguncountablemagicAn assistant planted in the audience.

      The kid was a stick, a plant, a student from UNLV who picked up a few bucks nightly by saying the words "seven of hearts."

      2001, Paul Quarrington, The Spirit Cabinet, page 255

      Synonyms: plant, shill

   3. countabledatedslanguncountablegamblingA shill or house player.

      A shill is also called a stick, and the role of the shill or stick is to make the customer relax and feel at ease.

      2011, Howard Fast, Helen

   4. countabledatedslanguncountableA stiff, stupidly obstinate person.
   5. countabledatedslanguncountableaeronauticsA fighter pilot.

      Bill Kirk, described by Robin as a "hell of a stick," didn't even attend college until after the Vietnam War.

      2001, John Darrell Sherwood, Fast Movers: America's Jet Pilots and the Vietnam Experience, page 30

   6. South AfricacountabledatedslanguncountablegovernmentA small group of (infantry) soldiers.

      I remember when we dreaded the rain, as our stick of soldiers walked through the damp, tick-infested long grass of the Zambezi valley,[…]

      2007, Bart Wolffe, Persona Non Grata, →ISBN, page 245

8. Encouragement or punishment, or (resulting) vigour or other improved behavior.
   1. countablefigurativelyuncountableA negative stimulus or a punishment. (This sense derives from the metaphor of using a stick, a long piece of wood, to poke or beat a beast of burden to compel it to move forward.)

      We were tempted with the carrot but subtly threatened with the stick.

      2 more examples

      What about contempt? Isn't it used by the judiciary as a stick to dissuade people from writing or talking about them?

      1998 January 23, “Judicial activism has ushered in hope”, in Indian Express

      Back in 2009, when Democrats tried but failed to take significant climate action, their policy proposals consisted mainly of sticks—limits on emissions in the form of permits that businesses could buy and sell.

      2023 August 7, Paul Krugman, “Climate Is Now a Culture War Issue”, in The New York Times

   2. slanguncountableCorporal punishment, beatings

      The child killers got some stick. I saw a woman throw a basin of scalding water over a baby killer.

      1999, Eve McDougall, A Wicked Fist, →ISBN, page 69

      1 more example

      “[…] Nigel used the word ‘invasion’ for a long time and got a huge amount of stick […]” he says, referring to the total number of men, women and children who have arrived by small boat in the past seven years.

      2025 August 2, Anna Gross, quoting Zia Yusuf, “Lunch with the FT: Zia Yusuf”, in FT Weekend (Life & Arts section), London: The Financial Times Ltd., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 3

   3. UKcountablefigurativelyuncountableCriticism or ridicule, often in the expressions "get a lot of stick", "get some stick", "come in for some stick", etc.

      I got some stick personally because of my walking attire. I arrived to training fully kitted out in sturdy walking boots.

      2008 May 3, Chris Roberts, “It’s a stroll in the park!”, in Huddersfield Daily Examiner

      3 more examples

      Most people can remember their first taste of cider: sandwiched between an illicit fag and a bout of throwing up. It’s always been the teen drink of choice: available in group-sized bottles and with a more acceptably fruity taste than beer. It is also the down-and-out’s favourite tipple because it’s stronger than many bitters and lagers, so it’s a cheap way to get wasted. As a consequence, it has never been the hippest of drinks. As a devotee, I’ve come in for some stick over the years.

      2006 April 13, Annabelle Thorpe, “Student tipple comes of age”, in The Times

      'I have nothing against the players at Cardiff, because they did all help me to become a better player.' He added: 'I'll probably have a lot of stick when I return to Ninian Park for that game, but I did was the best I could for Cardiff and the supporters. I've just got to get on with it and try to do a job for Birmingham City - this is now my future and my new employer.'

      2013 March 30, Hannah Finch, “I expect I'll get a lot of stick - Jerome”, in WalesOnline

      Again Rwanda chose to follow a different path, reflecting the unique historical and political context of the country, and dispensed with the sermons on democracy from outsiders. So Rwandans get a lot of stick for being big-headed and refusing to follow a path chosen for them, but striking out independently. They get hit for insisting on being the principal actors in making choices about matters that concern them.

      2017 July 27, Joseph Rwagatare, “Why Rwandans get a lot of stick for doing right”, in The New Times

   4. countableslanguncountableVigor; spirit; effort, energy, intensity.

      Give it some stick!

      3 more examples

      He really gave that digging some stick.

      He threw himself into the task of digging.

      She really gave that bully some stick.

      She berated him.

      'Choir gave it some stick on "Unto Us a Son is Born."' ¶ Cynthia nodded. ¶ 'It was always one of Russell's favourites. He makes them try hard on that.'

      1979, Don Bannister, Sam Chard, →ISBN, page 185

   5. countableslanguncountableVigorous driving of a car; gas.

      Skunk really gave it some stick all the way to Caliban's place, we passed a good few Coppers but they all seemed to turn the blind eye.

      2006, Martyn J. Pass, Dani Pass, Waiting for Red, →ISBN, page 163

9. A measure.
   1. countableobsoleteuncountableAn English Imperial unit of length equal to 2 inches.

      There was another speech in that day's news — a speech which The Times printed on the front page because it was part of a front-page story, and in full — it was only two sticks long; printed in full just after the much longer invocation by the officiating clergyman […]

      1921, Elmer Davis, History of the New York Times, 1851-1921, page 61

   2. archaiccountablerareuncountableA quantity of eels, usually 25.

      The stick is employed for eels, and contained twenty-five.

      1866, James Edwin Thorold Rogers, A History of Agriculture and Prices in England, →ISBN, Volume 1, page 171

      1 more example

      In the same charter, Nigel granted another 10 sticks of eels yielded by the fishery of Polwere to the abbey[…]

      1999, Claire Breay, The Cartulary of Chatteris Abbey, →ISBN, page 62

      Synonyms: stich, broach

10. countableuncountablecomputingAny of the eight 16-character groups making up the 128 characters of the 7-bit ASCII character set.

present singular third person sticks · participle present sticking · participle past sticked · past sticked · alternative obsolete sticke

1. businessTo cut a piece of wood to be the stick member of a cope-and-stick joint.
2. datedslangtransitivemediaTo compose; to set, or arrange, in a composing stick.

   to stick type

3. transitiveTo furnish or set with sticks.
4. To hit with a stick.

plural sticks

1. countableA thrust with a pointed instrument; a stab; an instance of sticking (pricking or piercing).

   […]; but let me tell you, my brave boy, that a stick with a sword hurts worse than a prick with a needle.

   1902, Luise Mühlbach, The merchant of Berlin, page 69

   1 more example

   What if Veronica Prego was lying about who drew the blood and it was her own carelessness, not Joyce Fogel's, which caused the needle stick?

   1990 April 21, Michael Bronski, “Innocent Victims”, in Gay Community News, page 11

2. countableuncountablemedicineAn instance of piercing someone with a needle, e.g. to draw blood or start an IV.

   […] hoping to get an easy stick. Well, that partially worked. She got the needle in the correct vein on the second stick. Ouch, ouch!

   2024, Hope Is All I Have: Defying the Odds of Cancer, William Douglas

   2 more examples

   Most phlebotomists (those who do the actual venipuncture) seldom acknowledge a bad stick in front of a donor, especially if the donor is inexperienced and the vein is not a particularly trick one to reach. Rather than admit to blowing an easy stick, the phlebotomist may say or do things to indicate that nothing is wrong or may even place the blame on someone else, usually the donor.

   1987, Joseph A. Kotarba, Andrea Fontana, The Existential Self in Society, page 145

   Also, for outpatient procedures, placing a central line (due to a difficult stick) because you don't want to place an IV in the foot may be overkill, and cumbersome for ambulating patients. Bringing in the "big guns”: You may need to use an ultrasound machine when you anticipate a difficult stick […]

   2012, Christopher Gallagher, Steven Ginsberg, Michael Lewis, Anesthesia Unplugged, Second Edition, page 5

3. colloquialcountableuncountablemedicineA person whom one is piercing with a needle to draw blood or start an IV (especially in the context of how difficult or easy this is).

   She put the tourniquet on Bella's arm […] Bella wasn't going to be an easy stick.

   2024, Harlequin Medical Romance September 2024, Box Set 2 of 2 (Janice Lynn, Luana DaRosa, Charlotte Hawkes)

   2 more examples

   I was called to start an IV on a “difficult stick.” (Notice the term we so commonly use to describe a human being who is difficult to hook up to an IV.)

   2009, Orlando Jay Perez, The Patient Experience, page 32

   […] the patient is a 'difficult stick' (that is, difficult to draw blood from) and as such will likely have to endure multiple painful attempts beyond the first blood draw, to obtain the culture; […]

   2017, Robert L. Wears, Erik Hollnagel, Resilient Health Care, Volume 2

4. uncountableThe tendency to stick (remain stuck), stickiness.
   1. countableuncountablehobbiesThe traction of tires on the road surface.
5. uncountableThat which sticks (remains attached to another surface).
   1. countableuncountablefishingThe amount of fishing line resting on the water surface before a cast; line stick.

      Problem: A lot of stick and a lack of energy on the forward stroke.

      2004, Simon Gawesworth, Spey Casting, →ISBN, page 47

6. countableinformalrareOne who sticks at something; one who persists.

   There had been a reference to the language. "I often wished that I was a better stick at it," said Tulloch. "I'd picked up a bit in Bombay and of course I threw myself into it when Fraser got me the post. […]"

   1923, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], “(please specify the page)”, in The Eyes of Max Carrados, London: Grant Richards, →OCLC

present singular third person sticks · participle present sticking · participle past stuck · past stuck · archaic participle past sticked · archaic past sticked

1. intransitiveTo become or remain attached; to adhere.

   The tape will not stick if it melts.

   3 more examples

   The Citizens in their rage, imagining that euery poſt in the Churche had bin one of yᵉ Souldyers, ſhot habbe or nabbe at randon^([sic – meaning random]) uppe to the Roode lofte, and to the Chancell, leauing ſome of theyr arrowes ſticking in the Images.

   1577, Raphaell Holinshed; Richarde Stanyhurst [i.e., Richard Stanihurst], “[The Historie of Irelande […].] The Thirde Booke of the Historie of Ireland, Comprising the Raigne of Henry the Eyght: ….”, in The Firste Volume of the Chronicles of England, Scotlande, and Irelande […], volume I, London: […] [Henry Bynneman] for Iohn Hunne, →OCLC, pages 77–78, column 2

   I haue stucke vnto thy Testimonies: O Lord put me not to shame.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Psalms 119:31

   Where we once sent love letters in a sealed envelope, or stuck photographs of our children in a family album, now such private material is despatched to servers and clouds operated by people we don't know and will never meet.

   2013 June 14, Jonathan Freedland, “Obama's once hip brand is now tainted”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 1, page 18

   Synonyms: cleave, cling, adhere, attach, bond, cleave, cling, cohere

2. intransitiveTo jam; to stop moving.

   The lever sticks if you push it too far up.

   Synonyms: jam, stall, anchor, astand, blin, brake, cease, desist

3. transitiveTo tolerate, to endure, to stick with.

   Why do most course organizers stick the job for less than five years?

   1998, Patrick McEvoy, Educating the Future GP: the course organizer's handbook, page 7

   1 more example

   "I've had ten years of it, scratching enough out of it to dress and feed myself when the going's good and sharing a room with a girl friend or pigging it in some cheap boarding-house, and doing a perish when I've been out of a job. I've got to the point where I can't stick it any longer. I'd get out tomorrow if I could find something else to do."

   1950, Norman Lindsay, Dust or Polish?, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, page 5

   Synonyms: live with, put up with, abear, abide, aby, accept, allow, bear

4. intransitiveTo persist.

   His old nickname stuck.

   1 more example

   "Our team did brilliantly to be in the game. We stuck at it and did a good job. This is disappointing but we'll think about the next game tomorrow."

   2011 December 10, David Ornstein quoting David Moyes, “Arsenal 1-0 Everton”, in BBC Sport

   Synonyms: abide, carry on, abide, astand, bear up, carry on, continue, endure

5. intransitiveOf snow, to remain frozen on landing.

   Synonyms: pitch, settle

6. intransitiveTo remain loyal; to remain firm.

   Just stick to your strategy, and you will win.

   2 more examples

   After this contencion, the common people did ſticke vnto king Agis, and the riche men followed Leonidas, praying and perſwading him not to forſake them: and further, they did ſo intreate the Senators, in whom conſiſteth the chiefe authority,[…]

   1579, Plutarke of Chæronea [i.e., Plutarch], “Agis and Cleomenes”, in Thomas North, transl., The Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romaines, […], London: […] Richard Field, →OCLC, page 852

   What I get from work makes me a better mother, and what I get from being a mother makes me a better journalist. At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

   2007, Amanda Lamb, Smotherhood: Wickedly Funny Confessions from the Early Years

   Synonyms: stand by, stick by

7. datedintransitiveTo hesitate, to be reluctant; to refuse (in negative phrases).

   , 2nd edition edited by Samuel Johnson, London: J. Payne, 1756, Part I, p. 12, Though a cup of cold water from some hand may not be without its reward, yet stick not thou for wine and oil for the wounds of the distressed […]

   5 more examples

   For thou art so possess’d with murderous hate That ’gainst thyself thou stick’st not to conspire.

   1609, William Shakespeare, “Sonnet 10”, in Shake-speares Sonnets. […], London: By G[eorge] Eld for T[homas] T[horpe] and are to be sold by William Aspley, →OCLC

   Some stick not to say, that the Parson and Attorney forg’d a Will, for which they were well Paid […]

   1712, John Arbuthnot, chapter 1, in Law is a Bottomless Pit, London: John Morphew

   And so careful were they to put off the Honour of great Actions from themselves, and to centre it upon God, that they stuck not sometimes to depreciate themselves that they might more effectually honour him.

   1740, James Blair, Our Saviour's divine sermon on the mount … explained, volume 3, page 26

   For he that sticks not at one bad Action, will not scruple another to vindicate himself: And so, Devil-like, become the Tempter, and the Accuser too!

   1741, [Samuel Richardson], “Letter XXXVII”, in Pamela: Or, Virtue Rewarded. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to IV), London: […] C[harles] Rivington, […]; and J. Osborn, […], →OCLC, page 375

   The First-fruits were a common Oblation to their Deities; but the chief Part of their Worship consisted in sacrificiing Animals : And this they did out of a real Persuasion, that their Gods were pleased with their Blood, and were nourished with the Smoke, and Nidor of them; and therefore the more costly, they thought them the more acceptable, for which Reason, they stuck not sometimes to regale them with human Sacrifices.

   1743, Thomas Stackhouse, A Compleat Body of Speculative and Practical Divinity, edition 3 (London), page 524

   Synonyms: falter, waver, boggle, wobble, deliberate, demur, halt, waffle

8. datedintransitiveTo be puzzled (at something), have difficulty understanding.

   1 more example

   He that has to do with young scholars, especially in mathematics, may perceive how their minds open by degrees, and how it is exercise alone that opens them. Sometimes they will stick a long time at a part of a demonstration, not for want of perceiving the connection of two ideas; that, to one whose understanding is more exercised, is as visible as any thing can be.

   a. 1705, John Locke, “Of the Conduct of the Understanding”, in Posthumous Works of Mr. John Locke: […], London: […] A[wnsham] and J[ohn] Churchill, […], published 1706, →OCLC, § 6, pages 29–30

   Synonyms: puzzle

9. datedintransitiveTo cause difficulties, scruples, or hesitation.

   1 more example

   1708, Jonathan Swift, The Sentiments of a Church-of-England-Man, with respect to Religion and Government, in The Works of Jonathan Swift, 7th edition, Edinburgh: G. Hamilton et al., 1752, Volume I, Miscellanies in Prose, p. 73, […] this is the Difficulty that seemeth chiefly to stick with the most reasonable of those, who, from a mere Scruple of Conscience, refuse to join with us upon the Revolution Principle […] .

10. transitiveTo attach with glue or as if by gluing.

    Stick the label on the jar.

    Synonyms: agglutinate, conglutinate, glue, gum, paste

11. transitiveTo place, set down (quickly or carelessly).

    Stick your bag over there and come with me.

    1 more example

    Afore we got to the shanty Colonel Applegate stuck his head out of the door. His temper had been getting raggeder all the time, and the sousing he got when he fell overboard had just about ripped what was left of it to ravellings.

    1913, Joseph C[rosby] Lincoln, chapter VIII, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients, New York, N.Y.; London: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC

    Synonyms: pop, set down

12. transitiveTo press (something with a sharp point) into something else.

    to stick a needle into one's finger

    2 more examples

    The balloon will pop when I stick this pin in it.

    The points of spears are stuck within the shield.

    1700, [John] Dryden, “Palamon and Arcite: Or, The Knight’s Tale. In Three Books.”, in Fables Ancient and Modern; […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC

    Synonyms: pierce, prick, puncture

    1. transitivenow only in dialectsTo stab.

       […] would haue [=have] sticked him with a dagger […]

       1809, Grafton's chronicle, or history of England, volume 2, page 135

       5 more examples

       In certain of their sacrifices they had a lamb, they sticked him, they killed him, and made sacrifice of him: this lamb was Christ the Son of God, he was killed, sticked, and made a sweet-smelling sacrifice for our sins.

       circa 1583, John Jewel, in a sermon republished in 1847 in The Works of John Jewel, Bishop of Salisbury, portion 2, page 969

       Thou stickest a dagger in me: I shall never see my gold again: fourscore ducats at a sitting! fourscore ducats!

       c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i]

       […] ſome of them attempted with Spears to ſtick me in the Sides; but, by good luck, I had on me a Buff Jerkin, which they could not pierce.

       1726 October 28, [Jonathan Swift], “The Author Gives Some Account of Himself and Family, His First Inducements to Travel. […]”, in Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. […] [Gulliver’s Travels], volume I, London: […] Benj[amin] Motte, […], →OCLC, part I (A Voyage to Lilliput), page 10

       It was a shame […] to stick him under the other gentleman's arm while he was redding the fray.

       1814 July 7, [Walter Scott], Waverley; or, ’Tis Sixty Years Since. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), Edinburgh: […] James Ballantyne and Co. for Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, →OCLC

       The defendant said he didn't shoot; "he sticked him with a knife."

       1908, The Northeastern Reporter, volume 85, page 693

       Synonyms: pierce, prick, puncture, jab, run through, chef, chib, ching

13. transitiveTo fix on a pointed instrument; to impale.

    to stick an apple on a fork

    Synonyms: fix, impale, stake, run through, transfix, empierce, fix, impale

14. archaictransitiveTo adorn or deck with things fastened on as by piercing.

    my shroud of white, stuck all with yew

    c. 1601–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Twelfe Night, or What You Will”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iv]

15. transitiveaeronauticsTo perform (a landing or a shot) perfectly.

    stick the landing

    1 more example

    Once again, the world champion sticks the dismount.

16. transitivebiologyTo propagate plants by cuttings.

    Stick cuttings from geraniums promptly.

17. transitiveTo run or plane (mouldings) in a machine, in contradistinction to working them by hand. Such mouldings are said to be stuck.
18. datedtransitiveTo bring to a halt; to stymie; to puzzle.

    to stick somebody with a hard problem

    Synonyms: stump, thwart

19. datedslangtransitiveTo impose upon; to compel to pay; sometimes, to cheat.

    Chillin' in a Benz with my amigos / Tryin' to stick a nigga for his pesos

    1996, “No Time”, in Hard Core, performed by Lil' Kim ft. Diddy

    1 more example

    Behind all that languid talk she was feverishly computing, "I wonder how much I can stick him for it. A hundred and fifty? But it's worth that - two hundred. He won't value it unless the price is stiff."

    1950, Norman Lindsay, Dust or Polish?, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, page 158

20. USintransitiveslangTo have sexual intercourse with.

    You ain't lickin' this, you ain't stickin' this

    1996, Lil' Kim, “Not Tonight”

    1 more example

    You leave your girl around me; if she's bad she's gonna get stuck.

    2005, “Stay Fly”, in Jordan Houston, Darnell Carlton, Paul Beauregard, Premro Smith, Marlon Goodwin, David Brown, Willie Hutchinson (lyrics), Most Known Unknown, performed by Three 6 Mafia (featuring Young Buck, 8 Ball, and MJG), Sony BMG

    Synonyms: have sex, approach, cohabit, common, company, copulate, couple, engage in sex

21. UKintransitiveblackjackTo stand pat: to cease taking any more cards and finalize one's hand.

comparative sticker · superlative stickest

1. informalLikely to stick; sticking, sticky.

   A non-stick pan. A stick plaster.

   1 more example

   A sticker type of glue. The stickest kind of gum.

plural sticks

1. obsoleteThe customary length (according to the material used) of a piece or roll of textile fabrics imported from Flanders.

plural Sticks

1. IrelandA member of the Official IRA.

   Synonyms: Sticky

1. entertainmentThe Chapman Stick, an electric musical instrument devised by Emmett Chapman.