Stale, Stael, or Steale. The long handle of any husbandry tool (A.B.). A.S. stel (in compounds).—N.W.
'A was as lang and as lane as a rake-stael.'—Wilts Tales, p. 177.
'The peculiar broad-headed nail which fastens the mop to the stout ashen "steale," or handle.'—Wild Life, ch. iv.
*Standing, Stannin. A stall or small booth at a fair. Stannen (S.).—S.W.
Star-flower. (1) Potentilla Tormentilla, Sibth., Tormentil.—S.W. (Barford.) (2) Lysimachia nemorum, L., Wood Loosestrife.—S.W. (Barford.)
Stark. v. To dry up. 'The ground is got so stark—you see the hot sun after the rain did stark the top on't.'—N.W. (Hilmarton.)
Starky. (1) Stiff, dry (A.B.). Shrivelled up, as applied to things.—N.W. (2) Shrivelled and wasted by ill-health.—N.W.
*Stars. Campanula glomerata, L., Clustered Bellflower.—N.W. (Enford.)
Start. (1) An outing or pleasure-party. 'Wher be th' missus, Bill?' 'Whoy, off on a bit of a start.'—S.W. (2) A 'go.' 'That's a rum start, yun' it?'—N.W.
Starve. (1) v. 'To starve with cold,' to be extremely cold; to cause anything to be cold. Chiefly used in past participle, as 'starved wi' th' cowld,' perished with cold. A.S. steorfan, to die. 'My old man he do starve I at nights wi' the cowld, 'cause he got a crooked leg, and he do sort o' cock un up 'snaw, and the draaft do get in under the bed-claus, and I be fairly starved wi' the cowld.'—N. & S.W. (2) See Bird-starving.—N.W.