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3 VERB If someone stalks someone else, especially a famous person or a person they used to have a relationship with, they keep following them or contacting them in an annoying and frightening way. □ [V n] Even after their divorce he continued to stalk and threaten her. ●  stalk|ing N‑UNCOUNT □  The Home Secretary is considering a new law against stalking.

4 VERB If you stalk somewhere, you walk there in a stiff, proud, or angry way. □ [V adv/prep] If his patience is tried at meetings he has been known to stalk out.

stalk|er /stɔː kə ^r / (stalkers ) N‑COUNT A stalker is someone who keeps following or contacting someone else, especially a famous person or a person they used to have a relationship with, in an annoying and frightening way.

sta lk|ing horse (stalking horses )

1 N‑COUNT If you describe a person or thing as a stalking horse , you mean that it is being used to obtain a temporary advantage so that someone can get what they really want. [DISAPPROVAL ] □  I think the development is a stalking horse for exploitation of the surrounding countryside.

2 N‑COUNT [oft N n] In politics, a stalking horse is someone who stands against a leader in order to see how strong the opposition is. The stalking horse then withdraws in favour of a stronger challenger. □  The possibility of another stalking horse challenge this autumn cannot be ruled out.

stall /stɔː l/ (stalls , stalling , stalled )

1 VERB If a process stalls , or if someone or something stalls it, the process stops but may continue at a later time. □ [V n] They will try to stall the bill until the current session ends. □ [V ] …but the peace process stalled. □ [V -ed] Negotiations remained stalled yesterday in New York.

2 VERB If you stall , you try to avoid doing something until later. □ [V ] Some parties have accused the governor of stalling. □ [V + over/on ] Thomas had spent all week stalling over his decision.

3 VERB If you stall someone, you prevent them from doing something until a later time. □ [V n] Shop manager Brian Steel stalled the man until the police arrived.

4 VERB If a vehicle stalls or if you accidentally stall it, the engine stops suddenly. □ [V ] The engine stalled. □ [V n] Your foot falls off the pedal and you stall the car.

5 N‑COUNT A stall is a large table on which you put goods that you want to sell, or information that you want to give people. □  …market stalls selling local fruits.

6 N‑PLURAL The stalls in a theatre or concert hall are the seats on the ground floor directly in front of the stage. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use orchestra 7 N‑COUNT A stall is a small enclosed area in a room which is used for a particular purpose, for example a shower. [AM ] in BRIT, usually use cubicle

stall|holder /stɔː lhoʊldə ^r / (stallholders ) N‑COUNT A stallholder is a person who sells goods at a stall in a market.

stal|lion /stæ liən/ (stallions ) N‑COUNT A stallion is a male horse, especially one kept for breeding.

stal|wart /stɔː lwə ^r t/ (stalwarts )

1 N‑COUNT A stalwart is a loyal worker or supporter of an organization, especially a political party. □  His free-trade policies aroused suspicion among Tory stalwarts.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A stalwart supporter or worker is loyal, steady, and completely reliable. □  …a stalwart supporter of the colonial government.

sta|men /ste I men/ (stamens ) N‑COUNT The stamens of a flower are the small, delicate stalks which grow at the flower's centre and produce pollen. [TECHNICAL ]

stami|na /stæ m I nə/ N‑UNCOUNT Stamina is the physical or mental energy needed to do a tiring activity for a long time. □  You have to have a lot of stamina to be a top-class dancer.

stam|mer /stæ mə ^r / (stammers , stammering , stammered )