Stall (@sta̤l), n. [OE. stal, AS. steall, stall, a place, seat, or station, a stable; akin to D. & OHG. stal, G. & Sw. stall, @Icel. stallr, Dan. stald, originally, a standing place; akin @also to G. s@telle a place, stellen to place, Gr. στέλλειν to set, place, send, and E. stand. √ 163. See Stand, and cf. Apostle, Epistle, Forestall, Install, Stale, a. & v. i., 1st Stalk, Stallion, Still.] 1. A stand; a station; a fixed spot; hence, the stand or place where a horse or an ox @is kept and fed; the division of a stable, or the compartment, for one horse, ox, or other animal. “In an oxes stall.” Chaucer.
2. A stable; a place for cattle.
At last he found a stall where oxen stood. Dryden.
3. A small apartment or shed in which merchandise is exposed for sale; as, a butcher's stall; a bookstall.
4. A bench or table on which small articles of merchandise are exposed for sale.
How peddlers' stalls with glittering toys are laid. Gay.
5. A seat in the choir of a church, for one of the officiating clergy. It is inclosed, either wholly or partially, at the back and sides. The stalls are frequently very rich, with canopies and elaborate carving.
The dignifi@ed clergy, out of hum@ility, have called their thrones by the names of stalls. Bp. Warburton.
Loud the monks @sang in their stalls. Longfellow.
6. In the theater, a seat with arms or otherwise partly inclosed, as distinguished from the benches, sofas, etc.
7. (Mining) The space left by excavation between pillars. See Post and stall, under Post.
Stall reader, one who reads books at a stall where they are exposed for sale.
Cries the stall reader, “Bless us! what a word on
A titlepage is this!” Milton.