[stʌmp], (Noun)

Definitions:
- the bottom part of a tree left projecting from the ground after most of the trunk has fallen or been cut down

- each of the three upright pieces of wood which form a wicket

- a cylinder with conical ends made of rolled paper or other soft material, used for softening or blending marks made with a crayon or pencil

- used in relation to political campaigning
(e.g: his jibes at his opponents may have won him some support on the stump early in his campaign)


Phrases:
- up a stump

Origin:
Middle English (denoting a part of a limb remaining after an amputation): from Middle Low German stump(e) or Middle Dutch stomp. The early sense of the verb was ‘stumble’

[stʌmp], (Verb)

Definitions:
- (of a question or problem) be too hard for; baffle
(e.g: education chiefs were stumped by some of the exam questions)

- walk stiffly and noisily
(e.g: he stumped away on short thick legs)

- (of a wicketkeeper) dismiss (a batter) by dislodging the bails with the ball while the batter is out of the crease but not running

- travel around (a district) making political speeches
(e.g: there is no chance that he will be well enough to stump the country)

- use a stump on (a drawing, line, etc.)


Phrases:
- up a stump

Origin:
Middle English (denoting a part of a limb remaining after an amputation): from Middle Low German stump(e) or Middle Dutch stomp. The early sense of the verb was ‘stumble’