Definition of: stock

(stok) noun
1. The trunk or main stem of a tree or other plant, as distinguished from a branch or root.
2. A line of familial descent.
3. The original progenitor of a family line.
4. An ethnic group; race.
5. Ling. A family of languages.
6. A related group or family of plants or animals.
7. Bot. a A rhizome. b A stem upon which a graft is made.
8. Zool. A zooid which reproduces by generation.
9. Livestock: in Australia, cattle, not livestock in general.
10. A quantity of something acquired or kept for future use: to lay in a stock of provisions.
11. The merchandise or goods which a trader or merchant has on hand.
12. In card games and dominoes, the part of the pack or group of dominoes that is left on the table and drawn from.
13. The broth from boiled meat or fish used in preparing soups, etc.
14. Raw material: paper stock.
15. plural A timber frame with holes for confining the ankles and often the wrists, formerly used in punishing petty offenders.
16. plural The timber frame on which a vessel rests during construction.
17. plural A frame for confining an animal for shoeing or veterinary treatment.
18. Naut. An anchor crossbar.
19. The wooden block suspending a bell.
20. In firearms: a The rear wooden portion of a rifle, musket, or shotgun, to which the barrel and mechanisms are secured. b The arm on rapid-fire guns connecting the shoulder piece to the slide. c The handle of a pistol or similar firearm. d That member of a gun carriage which usually bears the prolonge and trails along the ground.
21. The handle of certain instruments, as of a whip or fishing rod.
22. A theatrical stock company.
23. The collection of dramas produced by a theatrical stock company.
24. A broad stiffened band, formerly worn as a cravat.
25. Geol. The rounded mass of plutonic rock rising above ground level: also called boss.
26. Mech. An adjustable wrench used for grasping and turning thread-cutting dies.
27. An ornamental garden plant, as the gilliflower, or common stock (Mathiola incana).
28. In finance: a The capital or fund raised by a corporation through the sale of shares, which entitle the holder to interest or dividends and to part ownership of the corporation. The stockholder may not claim repayment of the principal, though he may sell his shares to other investors at the current market value. b The proportional part of this capital credited to an individual stockholder and represented by the number of shares he owns. c A certificate showing ownership of a specific number of shares.
—common stock The stock of a corporation which entitles the holder to dividends, or a share in the profits, only after all other obligations have been met and dividends have been rendered to the owners of preferred stock. Direction of a corporation is usually vested in the owners of common stock.
—debenture stock Brit. A debenture of a corporation or public body issued in the form of stock, the certificates of which are usually transferable but not redeemable and entitle the holder to a perpetual annuity.
—no-par stock Stock issued without a face value on the certificate and sold at whatever price it will command on the market.
—preferred stock The stock of a corporation which gives the holder prior claim to dividends up to a certain amount.
—to take stock
1. To take an inventory.
2. To make a careful estimate or appraisal.
—to take stock in To have trust or belief in; give credence to.
—v.t.
1. To furnish with stock; supply with cattle, as a farm, or with merchandise, as a store.
2. To keep for sale: to stock black ink.
3. To put aside for future use.
4. To provide with a handle or stock.
5. Obs. To put (a person) in the stocks for punishment.
—v.i.
6. To lay in supplies or stock: often with up.
7. To send out new shoots; sprout.
—adjective
1. Kept continually ready or constantly brought forth, like old goods: a stock joke.
2. Kept on hand: a stock size.
3. Banal; commonplace: a stock phrase.
4. Used for breeding purposes: a stock mare.
5. Employed in handling or caring for the stock: a stock clerk.
—adverb Motionlessly; like a stump or block of wood: used in combination: stockstill. [OE stocc] Synonyms (noun): accumulation, capital, fund, hoard, material, provision, store, supply. See STICK.