stalks
stalks — noun
- stalkssingular
- stalksesplural
1. the tall central growth of a plant that rises from the soil, or the slender sect
the tall central growth of a plant that rises from the soil, or the slender section that links a leaf or flower to that growth.
Yumi held up the celery stalk and snapped it in half.
The stalks of the sunflowers bent under the weight of the heavy seeds.
collocation: stalk of [plant]
Naoko trimmed the rose stalks before putting them into a glass vase.
Farmers burned the dry corn stalks after the harvest was finished.
常見錯誤
2. in some animals, a thin body part that holds up another body part, such as the s
in some animals, a thin body part that holds up another body part, such as the stalk that supports a crab's eye.
The crab has two long stalks with an eye at the tip of each one.
collocation: eye stalk
Yael studied how a crayfish's eye stalks help it see in several directions.
Tiny sensory stalks on the snail's head help it detect danger nearby.
The barnacle attaches to rocks using a thick stalk called a peduncle.
- peduncle
the technical term for a stalk-like structure in biology
用法筆記
Common in biology writing; often paired with a specific organ name, e.g. 'eye stalk' or 'sensory stalk'.
3. the act of secretly following a person or animal in order to catch or attack the
the act of secretly following a person or animal in order to catch or attack them.
The documentary showed a leopard's stalk of a herd of impalas through the dry grass.
Olivia learned to move silently during a deer stalk in the woods.
collocation: deer stalk
The lion's careful stalk ended with a sudden sprint toward the zebra.
A successful tiger stalk requires patience and complete silence.
用法筆記
Used as both a countable noun (a specific incident) and uncountable noun (the general activity). Distinguish from sense 2 (verb) — this noun form refers to the activity itself, not the act of committing illegal harassment.
4. a way of walking that is stiff, angry, or intended to seem threatening.
a way of walking that is stiff, angry, or intended to seem threatening.
The soldier's stalk across the parade ground was stiff and carefully measured.
Ignacio recognised his boss's angry stalk from the hallway and braced himself.
collocation: angry stalk
With a slow, threatening stalk the guard approached the locked gate.
Nellie could tell her father was furious from the stiff stalk of his walk.
用法筆記
Almost always used in the singular. Often paired with an adjective such as 'angry', 'stiff', or 'threatening'.
stalks — verb
- stalkspresent simple I / you / we / they
- stalkses3rd person singular
- stalksing-ing form
- stalksedpast simple
1. to move quietly and secretly after a person or animal, staying hidden so you can
to move quietly and secretly after a person or animal, staying hidden so you can capture or harm them.
The cat stalked a sparrow across the lawn, freezing each time the bird looked up.
Camille watched the hunter stalk a deer through the misty forest at dawn.
A hungry fox was stalking the chickens near the old farmhouse.
Faisal learned how to stalk wild boar from his grandfather in the mountains.
文法句型
stalk + animal/person
用法筆記
Subject is typically a predator or a person hunting. The object is the prey. Not used for the illegal harassment of a person — see sense 2 below.
常見錯誤
2. to secretly and repeatedly follow a person in a way that is against the law and
to secretly and repeatedly follow a person in a way that is against the law and makes them feel scared or unsafe.
The judge issued a restraining order after the man admitted stalking the actress for months.
collocation: stalking + person for [time period]
Nadia reported her ex-boyfriend to the police for stalking her outside work.
People who stalk others online can be prosecuted even without a physical meeting.
Jude began stalking his former colleague after she rejected his invitation to dinner.
文法句型
stalk + person
用法筆記
A criminal offence in many countries. The subject is always a person, and the action is unwanted and repeated. Frequently appears in news and legal contexts.
常見錯誤
3. if something unpleasant or dangerous spreads through a place, moving in a way th
if something unpleasant or dangerous spreads through a place, moving in a way that feels threatening — used for things like disease, war, poverty, or fear.
Violence stalked the city streets during the years of civil war.
Famine stalked the drought-stricken villages for two harsh winters.
grammar pattern: famine / disease / poverty + stalks [place]
A deep sense of fear stalked the corridors of the abandoned hospital.
Unemployment stalked the industrial town after the factory closure.
Disease stalked the refugee camp after the floods ruined the water supply.
文法句型
[unpleasant thing] + stalk + [place]
用法筆記
Subject is always an abstract, negative force (fear, disease, poverty, violence, famine). Never used with a person as subject. Found mainly in literary or journalistic writing.
4. to move with long, stiff steps because you are feeling angry or full of pride ab
to move with long, stiff steps because you are feeling angry or full of pride about something.
Sade stalked out of the meeting room and did not look back.
The manager stalked across the office floor, his face bright red with anger.
Yuki stalked off the tennis court after losing the final point on a bad call.
Defne stalked away from the argument without saying another word.
文法句型
stalk + out/off/away/across
用法筆記
Almost always paired with a directional preposition: 'stalk out', 'stalk off', 'stalk across', 'stalk away'. The direction shows the person leaving a situation in anger or pride.