Stale /(stāl)/

Stale

n.
  1. The stock or handle of anything; as, the stale of a rake.
    But seeing the arrow's stale without, and that the head did go No further than it might be seen.

Stale

a.
  1. Vapid or tasteless from age; having lost its life, spirit, and flavor, from being long kept; as, stale beer.
  2. Not new; not freshly made; as, stale bread.
  3. Having lost the life or graces of youth; worn out; decayed.
  4. Worn out by use or familiarity; having lost its novelty and power of pleasing; trite; common.
    Wit itself, if stale is less pleasing.
    — Grew.
    How weary, stale flat, and unprofitable Seem to me all the uses of this world!

Phrases & Compounds
Stale affidavit
an affidavit held above a year.
Stale demand
a claim or demand which has not been pressed or demanded for a long time.

Stale

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Staled; p. pr. & vb. n. Staling

  1. To make vapid or tasteless; to destroy the life, beauty, or use of; to wear out.
    Age can not wither her, nor custom stale Her infinite variety.

Stale

v. i.
  1. To make water; to discharge urine; -- said especially of horses and cattle.

Stale

n.
  1. That which is stale or worn out by long keeping, or by use. [Obs.]
  2. A prostitute. [Obs.]
  3. Urine, esp. that of beasts.

Stale

n.
  1. Something set, or offered to view, as an allurement to draw others to any place or purpose; a decoy; a stool pigeon. [Obs.]
    Still, as he went, he crafty stales did lay.
  2. A stalking-horse. [Obs.]
  3. A stalemate. (Chess) [Obs.]
  4. A laughingstock; a dupe. [Obs.]