stench, ‘staunch’, firm; hence, continent. Lady Alimony, iii. 3 (Sea-song, st. 5). See EDD. (s.v. Staunch, adj. 10 and 11).
stene, steane, a stone jar or pitcher. Spelt stene, Udall, tr. of Apoph., Aristippus, § 17; steane, Spenser, F. Q. vii. 7. 42. ‘Stean’ is in prov. use in various parts of England, see EDD. (s.v. 3). ME. steene, a pitcher, earthenware vessel, Trevisa, tr. Higden, bk. i, c. 41; OE. stǣna, an earthenware jug (Sweet).
stent, to leave off, to cause to cease. Spenser, F. Q. ii. 4. 12; to cease, pt. t., Sackville, Mirror for Mag., Induction, st. 32. In common prov. use in Scotland, see EDD. (s.v. Stent, vb.1 2). ME. stenten, to cease, to cause to cease (Chaucer). See [stint].
stepony; see [stiponie].
stept in age, advanced in years. Ascham, Scholemaster, p. 152. OE. stæppan, steppan, to proceed, advance (B. T.).
stern, the hinder part of an object; used of the tail of a dragon. Spenser, F. Q. i. 1. 18; i. 11. 28. The same word as stern, the hinder part of a ship. Hence sternage, steerage, Hen. V, iii, Prol. 18. Icel. stjōrn, a steering, hence, the steering-place.
sterve, to die. Spenser, F. Q. ii. 6. 34; Fairfax, Tasso, ii. 17. ME. sterve, to die, esp. to die of famine (Chaucer, C. T. A. 1249; C. T. C. 451). OE. steorfan, to die; cp. G. sterben.
stethva, a congress of Welsh bards. Drayton, Pol. iv. 177. Welsh eisteddfod.
steven, voice, outcry. Spenser, Shep. Kal., Sept., 224; steuyn, Skelton, ed. Dyce, i. 130, l. 144. In common prov. use in the north country, see EDD. (s.v. Steven, sb.1 1 and 2). ME. stevene, voice (Chaucer, C. T. A. 2562). OE. stefn.
stick-free, sword-proof, invulnerable to a sword-thrust. Burton, Anat. Mel., Of Witches and Magicians (ed. Shilleto, 1. 233); Shirley, Young Admiral, iv. 1 (ed. 1637). See Mod. Lang. Notes, June, 1912. G. stichfrei, sword-proof.