stool
stool Lexical Profile
stool Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A seat without a back or arms, typically supported by three or four legs or a single pedestal.
"She sat on a tall wooden stool at the kitchen counter while eating breakfast."
A piece of feces; solid waste evacuated from the bowels.
"The doctor requested a stool sample to test for intestinal parasites."
A low bench or support for the feet or knees.
"He rested his aching legs on the cushioned stool in front of the armchair."
• verb
To defecate; to discharge solid waste from the bowels.
"The veterinarian observed the puppy closely to see if it was able to stool without pain."
To act as a police informer or spy (slang).
"The gang leader suspected that one of his own men was ready to stool to the detectives."
To put forth shoots from a stump or root (especially of a plant or tree).
"After being coppiced in the winter, the old willow began to stool vigorously in the spring."
Word Nuance & Usage
The word commonly refers to either a backless piece of furniture or medically to feces; this dual meaning requires clear context to avoid unintentional humor in everyday conversation.
• Rhymes for stool
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'stōl' (seat, throne), of Germanic origin, related to Dutch 'stoel' and German 'Stuhl'. The medical sense 'feces' originated in the 16th century from the historical use of a commode known as a 'close stool'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.