stale2 (stal)

[Also stail; also, with a pron. now different, steal, rarely steel, early mod. E. stele; Weede hem wel, so wol thai wex(en) fele. But for to hede hem greet trede downe the stele . Palladius , Husbondrie (E. E. T. S.), p. 209. The stalke or steale thereof [of barley] is smaller than the wheat stalk, taller and stronger. B. Gouge's Heres bach i us , fol. 28. 2. The stem of an arrow. A shaft [in archery] hath three principal parts, the stele , the feathers, and the head. Ascham , Toxophilus (ed. 1864), p. 117. 3. A handle; especially, a long handle, as that of a rake, ladle, etc. [Prov. Eng.] A ladel bygge with a long stele. Piers Plowman (C), xxii. 279. "Thereof," quod Absolon, "be as be may," And caughte the kultour by the colde stele. Chaucer, Miller's Tale, 1. 599. 41. A round or rung of a ladder; a step. stale This ilke laddre (that may to hevene leste) is charite, The stales gode the a wis. Quoted in Alliterative Poems (ed. Morris), Glo ., p. 196. Wymmen vnwytté that wale ne couthe That on hande fro that other, for alle this hyze worlde, Bitwene the stele and the stayre di erne nogt cunen. Alliterative Poems (ed. Morris), iii. 513. stale3 (stal), a. and n. [ MD. stel , old, ancient, applied to old and purified beer and to old urine ( stel bier, stele pi e , Kilian; later written as compound, stelhaps 'still,' same as MD. stel , var. of stil , bier, stel - pi e , Hexham); origin uncertain per still (cf. still wine, etc.): see stilll . According to Skeat, who a ociates the adj. with stale , urine, " stale is that which reminds one of the stable, tainted, etc."; he also suggests that stale in one sense may be 'too long exposed to sale,' estaler , display wares on stalls, estal , a stall: see stalll . This explanation, however, fails to satisfy the conditions.] I. a. 11. Old (and therefore strong): said of malt liquors, which in this condition were more in demand. IMG:content-1958.jpg:[blocks in formation] Nappy ale, good and stale , in a browne bowle. The King and Miller of Mans field (Child's Ballads, VIII. 36). Two barrels of ale, both stout and stale , To pledge that health was spent. The Kings Disguise (Child's Ballads, V. 879). 2. Old and lifele ; the worse for age or for keeping; partially spoiled. ( a ) Insipid, flat, or sour; having lost its sparkle or life, especially from exposure to air: as, stale beer, etc. (b) Dry and crumbling; musty: as, stale bread. That stale old mouse-eaten dry cheese. Shak ., T. and C., v. 4. 11. IMG:content-1959.png:[blocks in formation] Doe you not foresee, into what importable head-tea rings and heart-search ings you will be ingulfed, when the Parliament shall give you a mate, though but a Stale ? N. Ward , Simple Cobler, p. 61.