A- (3) prefix meaning "not," from Gk a-, an- "not," from pie base *ne "not" (see un-)

stereo --- 1823 as a shortening of stereotype; 1876 from stereoscope (1838); 1954 (adj.) as a shortening of stereophonic (1927); the noun meaning "stereophonic record or tape player" is recorded from 1964.

stereoptican --- double magic lantern producing dissolving views, from stere-, form of stereo- before a vowel (from Gk. stereos "solid;" see stereotype) + Gk. optikon, neut. of optikos "pertaining to sight."

stereotype --- 1798, "method of printing from a plate," from Fr. stéréotype (adj.) "printing by means of a solid plate of type," from Gk. stereos "solid" (see sterile) + Fr. type "type." Noun meaning "a stereotype plate" is from 1817. Meaning "image perpetuated without change" is first recorded 1850, from the verb in this sense, which is from 1819. Meaning "preconceived and oversimplified notion of characteristics typical of a person or group" is recorded from 1922. Stereotypical is attested from 1949.

sterile --- 1426, "barren" (implied in sterility), from M.Fr. stérile "not producing fruit," from L. sterilis "barren, unproductive," from PIE *ster- "sterile, barren" originally "stiff, rigid" (cf. Gk. steresthai "be deprived of," steira "sterile," stereos "firm, solid, stiff, hard;" Skt. starih "a barren cow;" O.C.S. sterica "a barren cow;" Goth. stairo "barren;" O.N. stirtla "a barren cow"). See torpor. Originally in Eng. with ref. to soil; of females, from 1535. The sense of "sterilized" is first recorded 1877. Sterilize "destroy the fertility of" is from 1695 (in ref. to soil); of living things from 1828. Meaning "render free of microorganisms" is from 1878. Sterilization is from 1874.

sterling --- 1297, "silver penny," probably from M.E. sterre (see star), from the stars that appeared in the design of certain Norman coins, + dim. suffix -ling. The other theory is that it derives from O.Fr. estedre "stater" (see stater). Sense broadened by 1565 to "money having the quality of the sterling," and in 1601 to "English money in general." A pound sterling was originally "a pound weight of sterlings," equal to about 240 of them.

stern (adj.) --- O.E. styrne "severe, strict," from P.Gmc. *sternijaz (cf. M.H.G. sterre, Ger. starr "stiff," störrig "obstinate;" Goth. andstaurran "to be stiff;" O.N. stara; O.E. starian "to look or gaze upon"), from PIE base *ster-, *star- "be rigid" (see sterile).

stern (n.) --- c.1300, "hind part of a ship, steering gear of a ship," probably from O.N. stjorn "a steering," related to styra "to guide" (see steer (v.)). Or the word may come from O.Fris. stiarne "rudder," which is also related to steer (v.).

Stern gang --- militant Zionist terrorist organization (officially Lohame Herut Yisra'el "Fighters for the Freedom of Israel") founded 1940 by Avram Stern (1907-42).

Sterno --- U.S. proprietary name for solidified alcohol used as fuel for cooking stoves, 1915, by S. Sternau & Co., New York, New York.

sternum --- 1667, from Gk. sternon "chest, breast, breastbone" (in Homer, only of males), from PIE *stre-to- "to stretch, extend," from a root meaning "flat surface," related to stornynai "to spread out" (see structure), on the notion of the chest as broad and flat, as opposed to the neck.

steroid --- 1936, from sterol (1913), abstracted from (chole)sterol + -oid, from Gk. -oeides "-like," from eidos "form, shape" (see -oid).

stet --- direction to printer to disregard correction made to text, 1755, from L. stet "let it stand," third person singular present subjunctive of stare "to stand, stand upright, be stiff," from PIE base *sta- "to stand, set down, make or be firm" (cf. Skt. tisthati "stands;" Avestan histaiti "to stand;" Pers. -stan "country," lit. "where one stands;" Gk. histemi "put, place, weigh," stasis "a standing still," statos "placed," stater "a weight, coin," stylos "pillar;" L. sistere "stand still, stop, make stand, place, produce in court," status "manner, position, condition, attitude," statio "station, post;" Lith. stojus "place myself," statau "place;" O.C.S. staja "place myself," stanu "position," staru "old," lit. "long-standing;" Goth. standan, O.E. standan "to stand," O.N. steði "anvil," O.E. stede "place;" O.Ir. sessam "the act of standing").

stethoscope --- 1820, from Fr. stéthoscope, coined 1819 by its inventor, Fr. physician René-Théophile-Hyacinthe Laënnec (1781-1826) from Gk. stethos "chest, breast" + -scope. Gk. stethos is perhaps related to sternon (see sternum); it meant "front of the chest," and was only rarely used of a woman's breasts, but in Mod.Gk. it became the preferred polite term.

Stetson --- 1902, trademark name, from John B. Stetson (1830-1906), U.S. hat manufacturer, who started his company in Philadelphia in 1865.

stevedore --- 1788, from Sp. estibador "one who loads cargo," agent noun from estibar "to stow cargo," from L. stipare "pack down, press" (see stiff).

Steven --- masc. proper name, Anglicized form of Stephen (q.v.).

stew (n.) --- c.1305, "vessel for cooking," from stew (v.). Later "heated room" (c.1374). The noun meaning "stewed meat with vegetables" is first recorded 1756; Irish stew is attested from 1814. The obsolete slang meaning "brothel" (1362, usually plural, stews) is from an earlier sense of "public bath house," carried over from O.Fr. and reflecting the reputation of such houses.

stew (v.) --- c.1400, "to bathe in a steam bath," from O.Fr. estuver (Fr. étuver) "bathe, stew," of uncertain origin. Common Romanic (cf. Sp. estufar, It. stufare), possibly from V.L. *extufare "evaporate," from ex- "out" + *tufus "vapor, steam," from Gk. typhos "smoke." Cf. O.E. stuf-bæþ "hot-air bath;" see stove. Meaning "to boil slowly, to cook meat by simmering it in liquid" is attested from c.1420. The meaning "to be left to the consequences of one's actions" is from 1656, from fig. expression to stew in one's own juices. Slang stewed "drunk" first attested 1737.

steward --- O.E. stiward, stigweard "house guardian," from stig "hall, pen" + weard "guard." Used after the Conquest as the equivalent of O.Fr. seneschal (q.v.). The sense of "officer on a ship in charge of provisions and meals" is first recorded c.1450; extended to trains 1906. Stewardess "female attendant on passenger aircraft" first attested 1931; used of ships (where she waited on the female passengers) from 1837. This was the title of a class of high officers of the state in early England and Scotland, hence meaning "one who manages affairs of an estate on behalf of his employer" (c.1386). Meaning "overseer of workmen" is attested from c.1300. The Scottish form is reflected in Stewart, name of the royal house, from Walter (the) Steward, who married (1315) Marjorie de Bruce, daughter of King Robert. The terminal -t is a Scottish form (c.1370). Stuart is a Fr. spelling, attested from 1429 and adopted by Mary, Queen of Scots.

stichic --- made up of lines, 1787 (implied in stichical), from Gk. stikhikos "of lines, of verses," from stikhos "row, line, rank, verse," related to steikhein "to go, to march in order" (see stair).

stick (n.) --- O.E. sticca "rod, twig, spoon," from P.Gmc. *stikkon- "pierce, prick" (cf. O.N. stik, O.H.G. stehho, Ger. Stecken "stick, staff"), from PIE *st(e)ig- (see stick (v.)). Meaning "staff used in a game" is from 1674 (originally billiards); meaning "manual gearshift lever" first recorded 1914. Phrase Sticks "rural place" is 1905, from sticks in slang sense of "trees" (cf. backwoods). Stick-ball is attested from 1824. Alliterative connection of sticks and stones is recorded from c.1436.

stick (v.) --- O.E. stician "to pierce, stab," also "to remain embedded, be fastened," from P.Gmc. *stik- "pierce, prick, be sharp" (cf. O.S. stekan, O.Fris. steka, Du. stecken, O.H.G. stehhan, Ger. stechen "to stab, prick"), from PIE *st(e)ig- (cf. L. in-stigare "to goad;" Gk. stizein "to prick, puncture," stigma "mark made by a pointed instrument;" O.Pers. tigra- "sharp, pointed;" Avestan tighri- "arrow;" Lith. stingu "to remain in place;" Rus. stegati "to quilt"). Fig. sense of "to remain permanently in mind" is attested from c.1300. Trans. sense of "to fasten (something) in place" is attested from c.1290. Stick out "project" is recorded from 1567. Slang stick around "remain" is from 1912; stick it as a rude bit of advice is first recorded 1922.

stick up (v.) --- 1846, "to rob someone at gunpoint," from stick (v.). Noun stickup in this sense is first recorded 1887. Stick up for "defend" is attested from 1837.

sticker --- gummed adhesive label, 1871, from stick (v.).

stick-in-the-mud (n.) --- 1733, from stick (v.) on notion of "to stick in the mud, to be content to remain in an abject condition."

stickleback --- c.1400, from O.E. sticel "prick, sting" (from P.Gmc. *stik- "pierce, prick, be sharp;" see stick (v.)) + back.

stickler --- 1538, "moderator, umpire," from stickle "mediate" (1530), probably a frequentative of M.E. stihen "to arrange, place," from O.E. stihan "to arrange order," which is cognate with M.Du. stichten, Ger. stiften "to found, establish," probably from P.Gmc. *stihtan "to place on a step or base," from PIE base *steigh- "to stride, step, rise" (see stair). Meaning "person who contends or insists stubbornly" is first recorded 1644.

stickum --- glue, paste, 1909, from stick (v.).

sticky (adj.) --- 1727, "adhesive," from stick (v.). An O.E. word for this was clibbor. First recorded 1864 in the sense of "sentimental;" 1915 with the meaning "difficult." Of weather, "hot and humid," from 1895. Sticky wicket is 1952, from British slang, in reference to cricket.

stiff (adj.) --- O.E. stif "rigid, inflexible," from P.Gmc. *stifaz "inflexible" (cf. Du. stijf, O.H.G. stif, Ger. steif "stiff;" O.N. stifla "choke"), from PIE *stipos-, from root *steip- "press together, pack, cram" (cf. Skt. styayate "coagulates," stima "slow;" Gk. stia, stion "small stone," steibo "press together;" L. stipare "pack down, press," stipes "post, tree trunk;" Lith. stipti "stiffen," stiprus "strong;" O.C.S. stena "wall"). Of battles and competitions, from c.1250; of liquor, from 1813. To keep a stiff upper lip is attested from 1815.

stiff (n.) --- corpse, 1859, slang, from stiff (adj.) which had been associated with notion of rigor mortis since c.1200. Meaning "working man" first recorded 1930, from earlier gen. sense of "contemptible person" (1882). Slang meaning "something or someone bound to lose" is 1890 (originally of racehorses), from notion of "corpse."

stiff (v.) --- fail to tip, 1939, originally among restaurant and hotel workers, probably from stiff (n.) in slang sense of "corpse" (corpses don't tip well, either). Extended by 1950 to "cheat."

stiffnecked --- 1526, from stiff (adj.), translating L. dura cervice in Vulgate, from Gk. sklero trachelos, a lit. translation from Heb. qesheh soref.

stifle --- 1387, "to choke, suffocate, drown," of uncertain origin, possibly an alteration of O.Fr. estouffer "to stifle, smother," which may be from a Gmc. source (cf. O.H.G. stopfon "to plug up, stuff"). Metaphoric sense is from 1577.

stigma --- 1596, "mark made on skin by burning with a hot iron," from L. stigma (pl. stigmata), from Gk. stigma (gen. stigmatos) "mark, puncture," especially one made by a pointed instrument, from root of stizein "to mark, tattoo," from PIE *st(e)ig- (see stick (v.)). Fig. meaning "a mark of disgrace" is from 1619, as is stigmatize in this sense. Stigmas "marks resembling the wounds on the body of Christ, appearing supernaturally on the bodies of the devout" is from 1632; earlier stigmate (1387), from L. stigmata.

stile --- O.E. stigel "device for climbing, ladder," related to stigen "to climb," from P.Gmc. *stig- "to climb," (see stair). An arrangement to allow persons to pass but not sheep and cattle.

stiletto --- 1611, "short dagger with a thick blade," from It. stiletto, dim. of stilo "dagger," from L. stilus "pointed writing instrument" (see style). Stiletto heel first attested 1953.

still (adj.) --- O.E. stille "motionless, stationary," from W.Gmc. *steljaz (cf. O.Fris., M.L.G., M.Du. stille, Du. stil, O.H.G. stilli, Ger. still), from root *stel- "fixed, not moving, standing" (see stall (1)). Meaning "quiet, silent" emerged in later O.E.; noun meaning "quietness, the silent part" first attested 1608, in still of the night. The adverbial sense of "even now, even then, yet" (still standing there) is first recorded 1535, from notion of "without change or cessation" (c.1297); the sense of "even, yet" (e.g. still more) is from 1730. Used as a conjunction from 1722. Meaning "ordinary photo" (as distinguished from a motion picture) is attested from 1916. Euphemistic for "dead" in stillborn (1597). Still-life is from 1695, trans. Du. stilleven.

still (n.) --- distilling apparatus, 1533, from M.E. stillen "to distill" (c.1300), a variant of distillen (see distill).

still (v.) --- to calm, O.E. stillan, from stille "at rest" (see still (adj.)). Cognate with O.S. stillian, O.N. stilla, Du., O.H.G., Ger. stillen.

stilt --- c.1320, "a crutch," from P.Gmc. *steltijon (cf. M.L.G., M.Du. stelte "stilt," O.H.G. stelza "plow handle, crutch"), from PIE *stel- "to put, stand, place, cause to stand" (see stall (1)). Application to "wooden poles for walking across marshy ground, etc." is from c.1440. Meaning "one of the posts on which a building is raised from the ground" is first attested 1697. Stilted in the fig. sense of "pompous, stuffy" is first recorded 1820.

Stilton --- 1736, cheese made famous by a coaching inn at Stilton (then Hunts., now Cambs.) on the Great North Road from London, the owner being from Belvoir, Leicestershire, where it was made. Since 1969 restricted to cheese made in Leicester, Derby, and Nottingham counties by members of the Stilton Cheese Makers Association. The place name is in Domesday Book as Stichiltone and probably means lit. "farmstead or village at a stile or steep ascent."

stimulation --- 1526, "act of pricking or stirring to action," from L. stimulationem (nom. stimulatio), from stimulare "prick, goad, urge," from stimulus "spur, goad," from PIE *sti- "point, prick, pierce" (see stick (v.)). Stimulus is attested in Eng. from 1684; psychological sense is first recorded 1894. Stimulant (n.) is attested from 1728.

sting (v.) --- O.E. stingan "to prick with a small point" (of weapons, insects, plants, etc.), from P.Gmc. *stenganan (cf. O.N. stinga, O.H.G. stungen "to prick," Goth. us-stagg "to prick out," O.H.G. stanga, Ger. stange "pole, perch," Ger. stengel "stalk, stem"), from PIE *stengh-, nasalized form of base *stegh- "to prick, sting" (cf. O.E. stagga "stag," Gk. stokhos "pointed stake"). Specialized to insects late 15c. Slang meaning "to cheat, swindle" is from 1812. The noun is O.E. stincg, steng "act of stinging, stinging pain;" meaning "carefully planned theft or robbery" is attested from 1930; sense of "police undercover entrapment" first attested 1975. Sting ray is from 1624.

stingy --- niggardly, penurious, tight-fisted, 1659, possibly a dialectal alteration of earlier stingy "biting, sharp, stinging" (c.1615), from sting (v.). Back-formation stinge "a stingy person" is recorded from 1914.

stink --- O.E. stincan "emit a smell of any kind" (class III strong verb; past tense stonc), from W.Gmc. *stenkwanan (cf. O.S. stincan, O.H.G. stinkan, Du. stinken), from the root of stench. O.E. swote stincan "to smell sweet," but offensive sense began O.E. and was primary by c.1250; smell now tends the same way. Fig. meaning "be offensive" is from 1225; meaning "be inept" is recorded from 1924. The noun is attested from c.1300; sense of "extensive fuss" first recorded 1812. Stinking in ref. to "drunk" first attested 1887; stinking rich dates from 1956. To stink to high heaven first recorded 1963. Stinker as a term of abuse (often banteringly) is attested from 1607; earlier stinkard (c.1600).

stint (v.) --- to limit, restrain, to be sparing or frugal, O.E. styntan "to blunt, make dull," from P.Gmc. *stuntijanan (cf. O.N. stuttr "short, scant," M.H.G. stunz "blunt, short," Ger. stutzen "to cut short, curtail, stop, hesitate"), from PIE base *(s)teu- "to beat, strike, push, thrust" (see steep (adj.)). The noun is attested from c.1300.

stipend --- 1432, from L. stipendium "tax, pay, gift," from stips "alms, small payment" + pendere "weigh" (see pendant).

stipple --- 1675, from Du. stippelen "to make points," freq. of stippen "to prick, speckle," from stip "a point," probably ult. from PIE base *st(e)ig- "pointed" (see stick (v.)).

stipulation --- 1552, "engagement or undertaking to do something," from L. stipulationem (nom. stipulatio), from stipulari "exact a promise." Traditionally said to be from L. stipula "straw," in ref. to some obscure symbolic act; this is rejected by most authorities, who, however, have not come up with a better guess. Meaning "act of specifying one of the terms of a contract or agreement" is recorded from 1750.

stipule --- small appendage at the base of the petiole of a leaf, 1793, from Fr. stipule, from L. stipula "stalk (of hay), straw."

stir (v.) --- O.E. styrian, from P.Gmc. *sturjanan (cf. M.Du. stoeren, Du. storen "to disturb," O.H.G. storan "to scatter, destroy," Ger. stören "to disturb"), probably from the root of storm (q.v.). The noun sense of "commotion, disturbance, tumult" (c.1375, in phrase on steir) is probably from O.N. styrr "disturbance, tumult" (see storm), from the same P.Gmc. root; the sense of "movement, bustle" is probably from the Eng. verb. Stir-fry (v.) is attested from 1959.

stir-crazy --- 1908, from stir "prison" (1851), probably from Start Newgate (1757), prison in London, later any prison (1823), probably from Romany stardo "imprisoned," related to staripen "a prison." Mid-19c. sturaban, sturbin "state prison" seem to be transitional forms.

stirrup --- O.E. stigrap, lit. "climbing rope," from stige "a climbing, ascent" (from P.Gmc. *stigaz "climbing;" see stair) + rap (see rope). Originally a looped rope as a help for mounting. Gmc. cognates include O.N. stigreip, O.H.G. stegareif, Ger. stegreif. Surgical device used in childbirth, etc., so called from 1884. Stirrup-cup (1681) was a cup of wine or other drink handed to a man already on horseback and setting out on a journey, hence "a parting glass" (cf. Fr. le vin de l'etrier).

stitch (n.) --- O.E. stice "a prick, puncture," from P.Gmc. *stikiz, from the root of stick (v.). The sense of "sudden, stabbing pain in the side" was in late O.E. The verb is first recorded c.1225, "to stab, pierce," also "to fasten or adorn with stitches." Noun senses in sewing and shoemaking first recorded c.1290; meaning "bit of clothing one is (or isn't) wearing" is from c.1500. Meaning "a stroke of work" (of any kind) is attested from 1581. Surgical sense first recorded 1525. Sense of "amusing person or thing" is 1968, from notion of laughing so much one gets stitches of pain (cf. verbal expression to have (someone) in stitches, 1935).

stoa --- portico, 1603, from Gk. stoa "colonnade, corridor," from PIE *sta- "to stand" (see stet).

stoat --- c.1460, stote "ermine in its summer coat of brown," of uncertain origin. The word bears resemblance to O.N. stutr "bull," Swed. stut "bull," Dan. stud "ox," but the sense is difficult unless a common notion is "male animal."

stochastic --- 1662, "pertaining to conjecture," from Gk. stokhastikos "able to guess, conjecturing," from stokhazesthai "guess," from stokhos "a guess, aim, target, mark," lit. "pointed stick set up for archers to shoot at" (see sting). The sense of "randomly determined" is first recorded 1934, from Ger. Stochastik.

stock (n.1) --- O.E. stocc "stump, post, stake, tree trunk, log," also "pillory" (usually plural, stocks), from P.Gmc. *stukkaz "tree trunk" (cf. O.N. stokkr "block of wood, trunk of a tree," O.S., O.Fris. stok, M.Du. stoc "tree trunk, stump," Du. stok "stick, cane," O.H.G. stoc "tree trunk, stick," Ger. Stock "stick, cane;" also Du. stuk, Ger. Stück "piece"), from PIE *(s)teu- (see steep (adj.)). Meaning "ancestry, family" (1382) is a fig. use of the "tree trunk" sense (cf. family tree). This is also the root of the meaning "heavy part of a tool," and "part of a rifle held against the shoulder" (1541). Stock, lock, and barrel "the whole of a thing" is recorded from 1817. Meaning "framework on which a boat was constructed" (1422) led to fig. phrase on stocks "planned and commenced" (1669). Stock-still (c.1470) is lit. "as still as a tree trunk."

stock (n.2) --- supply for future use (1428), "sum of money" (1463), M.E. developments of stock (n.1), but the ultimate sense connection is uncertain. Perhaps the notion is of the "trunk" from which gains are an outgrowth, or obs. sense of "money-box" (c.1400). Meaning "subscribed capital of a corporation" is from 1612. Stock-broker is from 1706; stock exchange is from 1773. The verb meaning "to supply (a store) with stock" is from 1622; in stock "in the possession of a trader" is from 1618. Meaning "broth made by boiling meat or vegetables" is from 1764. Theatrical use, in ref. to a company regularly acting together at a given theater, is attested from 1761. In ref. to conversation or literature, "recurring, commonplace" (e.g. stock phrase), it is attested from 1738, on notion of "kept in store for constant use." Taking stock "making an inventory" is attested from 1736. As the collective term for the movable property of a farm, it is recorded from 1519; hence livestock (1523).

stock car --- racing car with a basic chassis of an ordinary commercially produced vehicle, 1914, Amer.Eng., from stock (n.2) + car.

stock market --- place where securities are bought and sold, 1809, from stock (n.2) + market. [The original Stock Market" (c.1350) was a fish and meat market in the City of London on or near the later site of Mansion House, so called perhaps because it occupied the site of a former stocks.]

stockade --- 1614, "a barrier of stakes," from Sp. estacada, from estaca "stake," from a Gmc. source (cf. O.E. staca, see stake (1)). Meaning "prison, especially on a military post" first recorded 1865.

Stockholm Syndrome --- 1978, a psychologists' term; the name derives from the Aug. 23, 1973, violent armed robbery of Sveriges Kreditbank in Stockholm, Sweden, after which four bank employees were held hostage in a vault for more than five days. The hostages developed a dramatic attachment to their abuser, and a fear of would-be rescuers, that they could not explain. The city arose mid-13c. from a fishing village; the second element in the name is holm "island;" the first is either stäk "bay" or stock "stake, pole."

stocking --- close-fitting garment covering the foot and leg, 1583, from stocka "leg covering, stock," from O.E. stocu "sleeve," related to O.E. stocc "trunk, log" (see stock (n.1)). Probably so called because of a fancied resemblance of legs to tree trunks, or a reference to the punishing stocks. Cognates include O.N. stuka, O.H.G. stuhha, from the same P.Gmc. source. Restriction to women's hose is 20c. As a receptacle for Christmas presents, attested from 1853; hence stocking stuffer first recorded 1976.

stockpile (n.) --- 1872, from stock (n.2) + pile. Originally a term in mining. The verb is attested from 1921. Extended to general use during World War II.

stocks --- instrument of punishment, c.1325, from stock (n.1).

stocky --- c.1400, "made of wood," from stock (n.1). Of plants, "of stout and sturdy growth" (not weedy) it is recorded from 1622. Of persons, "thick-set," 1676, suggestive of tree trunks, but cf. also stock in sense of "trunk of the human body" (1387).

stodgy --- 1823, "of a thick, semi-solid consistency," from stodge "to stuff" (1674), of unknown origin, perhaps somehow imitative. Meaning "dull, heavy" developed by 1874 from noun sense of stodge applied to food (1825).

stogie --- 1847, "rough, heavy kind of shoe," later "long, cheap cigar" (1873), both shortened from Conestoga, rural region near Lancaster, Pennsylvania; both items so-called because favored by drivers of the Conestoga style of covered wagons first made there.