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Stool Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ’บ
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stool

[stuหl ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

furniture

A seat without a back or arms, typically resting on three or four legs or on a single pedestal.

Synonyms

bench, ottoman, seat.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
stool

Repeated word; please refer to the first entry for 'stool'.
seat

A general term for any place where a person can sit, applicable in various situations including theaters, vehicles, or furniture.

  • Please take your seat and the show will begin shortly.
  • He found a comfortable seat in the waiting area.
bench

A long seat for multiple people, usually found in parks, waiting areas, or sometimes at dining tables.

  • They waited on the bench for the bus to arrive.
  • The team gathered on the bench during the halftime break.
ottoman

A padded seat or footstool that is often used in living rooms; typically used as a footrest or additional seating.

  • She rested her feet on the ottoman while watching TV.
  • The living room set included a sofa and an ottoman.

Examples of usage

  • He sat on a wooden stool at the bar.
  • She perched herself on a stool by the kitchen counter.
Context #2 | Noun

medical

A piece of solid excrement passed out of the body.

Synonyms

dung, excrement, feces.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
stool

Commonly used in medical contexts to refer to human waste or a sample collected for testing.

  • The doctor asked for a stool sample to check for infections.
  • He had to undergo a stool test for his medical examination.
feces

Formal and commonly used in medical or scientific contexts to describe human or animal waste.

  • The presence of feces in the water indicates contamination.
  • Veterinarians often analyze feces to diagnose illnesses in animals.
dung

Typically used to refer to animal waste, especially in farming or agriculture. It's less commonly used for human waste.

  • The farmer uses cow dung as a natural fertilizer.
  • You can see dung all over the field where the cattle graze.
excrement

A more formal and scientific term, used in both human and animal contexts.

  • The scientist studied the excrement of various animals to understand their diets.
  • There was excrement found near the crime scene, which helped in the investigation.

Examples of usage

  • The doctor asked the patient to provide a stool sample for testing.
  • The nurse checked the consistency of the patient's stool.
Context #3 | Verb

informal

To fail to appear at an arranged meeting.

Synonyms

ditch, flake out, stand up.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
stand up

Used when someone fails to show up for a scheduled appointment or date without informing the other person. This term is commonly used in social and dating contexts and often implies hurt feelings or disappointment.

  • I can't believe he stood me up on our first date.
  • She got stood up by her friend and waited at the restaurant for hours.
flake out

Used when someone fails to appear or follow through on something, often because they are unreliable or forgetful. This phrase emphasizes the person's inconsistency and often has a negative connotation.

  • He always flakes out on plans at the last minute.
  • She said she'd be there, but then she flaked out again.
ditch

Used when someone deliberately decides not to show up or abandons a planned meeting or relationship. This term can have a slightly negative connotation.

  • She decided to ditch the meeting and went to the beach instead.
  • He ditched his old friends after moving to a new city.

Examples of usage

  • He stood her up and stool her on their first date.
  • Don't stool me, I was looking forward to our meeting.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Cultural Significance

  • Stools are often used in social settings, like pubs and kitchens, encouraging casual conversations.
  • In many cultures, stools symbolize a welcoming space, often positioned around tables or communal areas.
  • Artists frequently depict stools in paintings and sculptures, representing simplicity and homeliness.

Health and Ergonomics

  • Using stools can promote better posture by encouraging active sitting and balance.
  • Different types of stools, like bar stools or ergonomic stools, are designed to cater to specific needs and activities.
  • Stools can be beneficial in workspaces, enabling easy movement and collaboration among teams.

Design and Variations

  • Stools come in various designs, from minimalist wooden stools to luxurious upholstered ones.
  • Some stools are stackable, which is great for saving space at home or in public areas.
  • The trend of using bar stools has grown, especially in modern home designs incorporating open kitchens.

Origin of 'stool'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'stool' comes from Old English 'stลl', which meant a 'seat' or 'throne'.
  • In ancient German languages, similar words indicated a type of seat or platform.
  • Over time, the meaning evolved to include various types of simple seats used in homes and gardens.

The word 'stool' has Old English origins, coming from the Proto-Germanic word 'stลla', which is also related to the Dutch 'stoel' and German 'Stuhl'. Originally used to describe a seat without a back or arms, over time it also acquired the meaning of a piece of solid excrement passed out of the body. The verb form 'stool' meaning to fail to appear at an arranged meeting is a more recent informal usage.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,217 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.