Stalely

stale ¹  (stl)

adj. stal·er, stal·est

1. Having lost freshness, effervescence, or palatability: stale bread; stale air.

2. Lacking originality or spontaneity: a stale joke.

3. Impaired in efficacy, vigor, or spirit, as from inactivity or boredom.

4. Law Having lost effectiveness or force through lack of exercise or action.

tr. & intr.v. staled, stal·ing, stales

To make or become stale.

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[Middle English, settled, clear (used of beer or wine), probably from Old French estale, slack, settled, clear, from estaler, to come to a standstill, halt, from estal, standing place, stand, of Germanic origin; see stel- in Indo-European roots.]

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stalely adv.

staleness n.

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stale ²  (stl)

intr.v. staled, stal·ing, stales

To urinate. Used especially of horses and camels.

n.

The urine of certain animals, especially horses and camels.

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[Middle English stalen, possibly of Low German origin; akin to Middle Low German stallen.]