STALL, n. [G., to set, that is, to throw down, to thrust down. See Still.]

1. To put into a stable; or to keep in a stable; as, to stall an ox. Where king Latinus then his oxen stall'd. – Dryden.
2. To install; to place in an office with the customary formalities. [For this, install is now used.]
3. To set; to fix; to plunge into mire so as not to be able to proceed; as, to stall horses or a carriage. [This phrase I have heard in Virginia. In New England, set is used in a like sense.]

1. Primarily, a stand; a station; a fixed spot: hence, the stand or place where a horse or an ox is kept and fed; the division of a stable, or the apartment for one horse or ox. The stable contains eight or ten stalls.
2. A stable; a place for cattle. At last he found a stall where oxen stood. – Dryden.
3. In 1 Kings iv, 26, stall is used for horse. “Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots.” In 2 Chron. ix, 25, stall means stable. “Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots.” These passages are reconciled by the definition given above; Solomon had four thousand stables, each containing ten stalls; forty thousand stalls.
4. A bench, form or frame of shelves in the open air, where any thing is exposed to sale. It is curious to observe the stalls of books in the boulevards and other public places in Paris.
5. A small house or shed in which an occupation is carried on; as, a butcher's stall. – Spenser.
6. The seat of a dignified clergyman in the choir. The dignified clergy, out of humility, have called their thrones by the name of stalls. [Probably a mistake of the reason.] – Warburton.

1. To dwell; to inhabit. We could not stall together in the world. – Shak. [Not in use.]
2. To kennel.
3. To be set, as in mire.
4. To be tired of eating, as cattle.

1. A stand] a station; a fixed spot; hence, the stand or place where a horse or an ox is kept and fed; the division of a stable, or the compartment, for one horse, ox, or other animal.
   
   
   "In an oxes stall." Chaucer.
2. To put into a stall or stable] to keep in a stall or stalls; as, to stall an ox.
   
   

   Where King Latinus then his oxen stalled. Dryden.

3. To live in, or as in, a stall; to dwell.
   
   
   [Obs.]

   We could not stall together
   In the whole world. Shak.

4. A covering or sheath, as of leather, horn, of iron, for a finger or thumb; a cot; as, a thumb stall; a finger stall.
5. A stable; a place for cattle.
   
   

   At last he found a stall where oxen stood. Dryden.

6. To fatten; as, to stall cattle.
   
   
   [Prov. Eng.]
7. To kennel, as dogs.
   
   
   Johnson.
8. A small apartment or shed in which merchandise is exposed for sale; as, a butcher's stall; a bookstall.
9. To place in an office with the customary formalities; to install.
   
   
   Shak.
10. To be set, as in mire or snow; to stick fast.
11. A bench or table on which small articles of merchandise are exposed for sale.
    
    

    How peddlers' stalls with glittering toys are laid. Gay.

12. To plunge into mire or snow so as not to be able to get on; to set; to fix; as, to stall a cart.
    
    
    Burton.

    His horses had been stalled in the snow. E. E. Hale.

13. To be tired of eating, as cattle.
    
    
    [Prov. Eng.]
14. A seat in the choir of a church, for one of the officiating clergy. It is inclosed, either wholly or partially, at the back and sides. The stalls are frequently very rich, with canopies and elaborate carving.
    
    

    The dignified clergy, out of humility, have called their thrones by the names of stalls. Bp. Warburton.

    Loud the monks sang in their stalls. Longfellow.

15. To forestall; to anticipitate.
    
    
    [Obs.]

    This not to be stall'd by my report. Massinger.

16. In the theater, a seat with arms or otherwise partly inclosed, as distinguished from the benches, sofas, etc.
17. To keep close; to keep secret.
    
    
    [Obs.]

    Stall this in your bosom. Shak.

18. The space left by excavation between pillars. See Post and stall, under Post.
    
    

    Stall reader, one who reads books at a stall where they are exposed for sale.

    Cries the stall reader, "Bless us! what a word on
    A titlepage is this!" Milton.