Stale, n. [Cf. OF. estal place, position, abode, market, F. étal a butcher's stall, OHG. stal station, place, stable, G. stall (see Stall, n.); or from OE. stale theft, AS. stalu (see Steal, v. t.).] 1. Something set, or offered to view, as an allurement to draw others to any place or purpose; a decoy; a stool pigeon.
Still, as he went, he crafty stales did lay. Spenser.
2. A stalking-horse. B. Jonson.
3. (Chess) A stalemate. Bacon.
4. A laughingstock; a dupe. Shak.