/stɔ:l; stɔl/
n
1 [C] compartment, usu with three sides, for one animal in a stable or cattle shed 牲畜棚中的一栏（通常三面有墙）.
2 [C] (often in compounds 常用以构成复合词) table, stand or small open-fronted shop from which things are sold in a market, on a street, in a railway station, etc 摊位; 铺子; 售货亭
*a `bookstall at the station 车站的书亭
* a `fruit stall in the market 菜场里的水果摊儿
* run a `cake stall at the bazaar 在市场中经营糕饼铺子.
3 stalls [pl] (Brit) (set of seats in) the part of a theatre that is nearest to the stage （戏院的）正厅前排（座位）
*two seats in the stalls 两个前排座位
* laughter from the stalls 前排观众发出的笑声. =>illus at App
1 见附录1插图, page ix.
4 [C] any of several fixed seats, usu with its back and sides enclosed, in the choir or chancel of a church （教堂内）唱诗班席位; （高坛上的）牧师座位
*the canon's `stall 牧师的座位
* the `choir stalls 唱诗班席位.
5 [C] any small room or compartment, usu for one person 小房间, 小隔间（通常 指供单人使用的）
*stalls for changing in at the swimming-pool 游泳池的更衣间.
6 [C] (instance of the) stalling of an aircraft or engine; condition resulting from this （飞行器失速造成的）失控下降; （发动机的）熄火
*go into/get out of a stall 进入[脱离]失控下降状态.
7 [C] = finger-stall (finger).

v
1 [Tn] place or keep (an animal) in a stall(1), esp for fattening 将（动物）关在栏内（尤指为了养肥）.
2 (a) [I] (of an engine) stop suddenly because of insufficient power or speed （指发动机因力量或速度不够）熄火
*The car stalled at the roundabout. 那辆汽车在环形交叉处抛锚了.
(b) [I, Tn] (of a driver) cause (an engine) to do this （指司机）使（发动机）熄火
*Learner drivers often stall (their cars). 见习司机常造成（汽车）熄火现象.
3 (a) [I] (of an aircraft) get out of control and start to drop because of loss of speed （指飞行器）（因失速）失控下降
*The plane stalled suddenly. 那飞机突然失控下降.
(b) [I, Tn] (of a pilot) cause (an aircraft) to do this （指飞行器驾驶员）造成（飞行器）失控下降.
4 (a) [I] avoid giving a definite answer or taking action (in order to get more time); delay 支吾, 拖延（以争取时间）
*stall for time 拖延时间
* Stop stalling and give me an answer! 别支支吾吾的了, 快回答我的问题!
(b) [Tn] avoid answering (a person, request, etc) in this way 对（某人、某要求等）支吾或敷衍
*stall one's creditors 敷衍债主.