stump

noun

• 1the bottom part of a tree left projecting from the ground after most of the trunk has fallen or been cut down.
• the small projecting remnant of something that has been cut or broken off or worn away:the stump of an amputated arm

• 2 Cricket each of the three upright pieces of wood which form a wicket.
• (stumps) close of play in a cricket match.

• 3 Art a cylinder with conical ends made of rolled paper or other soft material, used for softening or blending marks made with a crayon or pencil.

• 4chiefly North American used in relation to political campaigning:his jibes at his opponents may have won him some support on the stump early in his campaign [as modifier]:an inspiring stump speaker

  [referring to the use of a tree stump, from which an orator would speak]

verb

• 1 informal (of a question or problem) be too hard for; baffle:education chiefs were stumped by some of the exam questions
• (be stumped) be at a loss; not know what to do or say:detectives are stumped for a reason for the attack

• 2 [no object, with adverbial of direction] walk stiffly and noisily:he stumped away on short thick legs

• 3 Cricket (of a wicketkeeper) dismiss (a batsman) by dislodging the bails with the ball while the batsman is out of the crease but not running.

• 4North American travel around (a district) making political speeches:there is no chance that he will be well enough to stump the country

• 5 Art use a stump on (a drawing, line, etc.).