stalk
stalk Lexical Profile
stalk Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The main stem of a herbaceous plant, or a slender part that supports a leaf, flower, or fruit.
"She chopped the celery stalk into small pieces for the soup."
A stealthy pursuit or approach, especially of prey during a hunt.
"The lioness began her slow, deliberate stalk through the tall grass."
A slender supporting structure in animal anatomy, such as the peduncle of an eye.
"The crab extended its eyestalks to look around the edge of the rock."
• verb
To pursue or approach prey stealthily and quietly.
"The snow leopard stalks its prey for hours before making a final leap."
To harass or persecute someone with unwanted and obsessive attention.
"The actor filed a restraining order against the fan who had been stalking him."
To walk with a stiff, haughty, or angry gait.
"Insulted by the unfair accusation, she turned and stalked out of the boardroom."
Word Nuance & Usage
While originally denoting a plant stem or the hunting of wild game, in modern contexts the verb frequently carries severe legal and psychological implications regarding the obsessive harassment of a person.
• Rhymes for stalk
Word Origin & Etymology
The word has two distinct origins: as a plant part, it derives from Middle English 'stalke', a diminutive of 'stale' (upright part). As a verb meaning to pursue, it comes from Old English 'bestealcian' (to walk stealthily), related to 'stelan' (to steal).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.