Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun Prison.
- intransitive verb To pass an implement through (a liquid, for example), usually in circular motions, so as to mix or cool the contents.
- intransitive verb To use an implement to move or rearrange the fuel in (a fire) to increase light or heat.
- intransitive verb To add or mix in (an ingredient, for example) into a liquid or mixture by moving an implement.
- intransitive verb To mix together the ingredients of (a liquid, for example) before cooking or use by moving an implement.
- intransitive verb To move or pass (an implement) through a liquid in order to mix or cool the contents.
- intransitive verb To cause to move or shift, especially slightly or with irregular motion.
- intransitive verb To cause to become active; bestir.
- intransitive verb To excite strong feelings in or rouse, as from indifference: synonym: provoke.
- intransitive verb To provoke deliberately; incite. Often used with up.
- intransitive verb To change position slightly.
- intransitive verb To start to move, especially in rising from sleep.
- intransitive verb To move about actively or busily.
- intransitive verb To move away from a customary or usual place or position.
- intransitive verb To stir or mix a liquid or mixture.
- intransitive verb To be capable of being stirred.
- intransitive verb To happen or begin.
- intransitive verb To be roused or affected by strong feelings.
- noun A stirring, mixing, or poking movement.
- noun A slight movement.
- noun An excited reaction or commotion.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun Movement; action.
- noun A state of motion, activity, briskness, bustle, or the like; the confusion and tumult of many persons in action.
- noun Commotion; excitement; tumult: as, his appearance on the scene created quite a stir.
- noun Motion; impulse; emotion; feeling.
- noun A poke; a jog.
- noun A house of correction; a lockup; a prison.
- To move; change the position or situation of: as, to
stir hand or foot. - To set in motion; agitate; disturb.
- To move briskly; bestir.
- To cause the particles or parts of to change place in relation to each other by agitating with the hand or an implement: as, to
stir the fire with a poker; to stir one's coffee with a spoon. - To brandish; flourish.
- To bring into notice or discussion; agitate; debate; moot.
- To rouse, as from sleep or inaction; awaken.
- To move; excite; rouse.
- To incite; instigate; set on.
- To excite; provoke; foment; bring about: as, to
stir up a mutiny; to stir up contention. - To rouse to action; stimulate; quicken: as, to
stir up the mind. - To pass from rest or inaction to motion or action; move; budge: as, they dare not stir; to stir abroad.
- To be in motion; be in a state of activity; be on the move or go; be active: as, to be continually stirring.
- To be in circulation; be current; be on foot.
- To use an instrument or the hand for making a disturbing or agitating motion, as in a liquid.
- To be roused; be excited; disturb or agitate one's self.
- noun Sir.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- intransitive verb To move; to change one's position.
- intransitive verb To be in motion; to be active or bustling; to exert or busy one's self.
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
Support
Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word stir.
Examples
-
Put the sugar, water and glucose over the fire; stir till the sugar is dissolved; wash down the sides of the saucepan with a cloth or the fingers dipped in cold water, cover and let boil three or four minutes, then uncover and let cook to 275° F. (when a little is cooled and chewed it clings but does not stick to the teeth) add the butter and peanuts and _stir constantly_ until the peanuts are nicely browned (or are of the color of well roasted peanuts).
Chocolate and Cocoa Recipes and Home Made Candy Recipes Maria Parloa 1876
-
"During the call, he expressed surprise that his comments had created what he called a stir," the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
-
"During the call, he expressed surprise that his comments had created what he called a stir," the official said.
Dose.ca Music briefs AFP Stephen Collinson 2010
-
"During the call, he expressed surprise that his comments had created what he called a stir," the official said.
Taipei Times 2010
-
"During the call, he expressed surprise that his comments had created what he called a stir," the official said.
-
"During the call, he expressed surprise that his comments had created what he called a stir," the official said.
-
"During the call, he expressed surprise that his comments had created what he called a stir," the official said.
Raw Story 2010
-
"During the call, he expressed surprise that his comments had created what he called a stir," the official said.
-
"During the call, he expressed surprise that his comments had created what he called a stir," the official said.
-
"During the call, he expressed surprise that his comments had created what he called a stir," the official said.
oroboros commented on the word stir
Stir in the sense of moving around vs. being locked up.
June 20, 2008
johnmperry commented on the word stir
Slang for prison, hence stir crazy
June 20, 2008
asativum commented on the word stir
But wait -- being in the stir is to be in prison, no?
June 21, 2008
bilby commented on the word stir
I thought it was just in stir.
June 21, 2008
asativum commented on the word stir
In stir it is, sir.
June 21, 2008