stump
stump
UK[stʌmp]US[stʌmp]
n
the bottom part of a tree left in the ground after the trunk has been cut down.
n
the short part of someone's leg or arm that remains after the main part has been amputated.
v
to be too difficult for someone to answer or solve.
v
to walk heavily and noisily.
Etymology
the word 'stump' originates from middle english 'stumpe', which is of germanic origin. it is related to middle low german 'stump' and old norse 'stumpr', all meaning a cut-off piece or a blunt end. the core concept has always been that of a truncated, remaining part, whether of a tree, a limb, or later, by metaphorical extension, a difficult remaining problem that stops progress. the verbal senses, such as to baffle or to walk clumsily, evolved from the image of being brought to a halt or moving like a blunt, heavy object.
Analysis
this word is a simplex form. it is a germanic base word with no separable, meaningful morphemes in its modern english spelling.
Examples
the old tree stump in the garden was covered in moss.
the final question on the quiz completely stumped the entire class.
he stumped back into the house after checking the mailbox in the rain.