stalk

Everyday

1. A stalk is the thin main stem of a plant, or the small stem that holds a leaf, flower or fruit. tree →
2. To stalk an animal is to follow it slowly and quietly to catch it, as a cat or a lion does. tree →
3. To stalk a person is to follow or watch them again and again in a frightening way; this is wrong and against the law. tree →
4. To stalk off or stalk out is to walk away in a stiff, angry, proud way. tree →

In the lessons

In science «stalk» is a plant part: the stalk carries water up from the roots to the leaves and holds the plant upright. In nature lessons predators «stalk their prey». In safety lessons «stalking» is a serious harm: if someone keeps following you or messaging you when you don't want it, tell a trusted adult. In stories «she stalked out of the room» shows anger. Phrases: «celery stalk», «stalk of corn», «stalk off».

Examples

• Pull the apple off the tree by its stalk. tree →
• The sunflower has a tall green stalk. tree →
• Mum cut the celery into stalks for our snack. tree →
• The cat stalked the bird across the lawn. tree →
• Lions stalk zebras in the long grass. tree →
• He stalked out of the room and slammed the door. tree →
• Stalking someone online is a crime. tree →
• The water travels up the stalk to the flower. tree →
• He rose and stalked to the tent-door. tree →

Note

Past: stalked (the k is said, the l is silent: «stawk»). Do not confuse with «stock» or «stork» (a bird). A stalk (plant) and to stalk (follow) sound the same. «Stem» and «stalk» mean nearly the same for plants.

In Jewish tradition

It is the stem of a grain plant that holds the ears of corn. It appears in Pharaoh's dream. In the Prophets it is also the stem of flax, where Rahab hid the spies, and Hosea says a failed crop has "no stalk," a picture of efforts that yield nothing.

Interpretation. Joseph read the seven good ears on one stalk as seven years of plenty. Tradition sees in the repeated dreams a sign that the meaning was fixed by God. Hosea's saying about sowing wind and reaping whirlwind is read as a warning that empty deeds bring empty results.

Examples

• And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up upon one stalk, full and good. (Torah GEN.41.22, JPS 1917) tree →
• And he slept and dreamed a second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good. (Torah GEN.41.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• But she had brought them up to the roof, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had spread out upon the roof. (Prophets JOS.2.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind; it hath no stalk, the bud that shall yield no meal; if so be it yield, strangers shall swallow it up. (Prophets HOS.8.7, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Past: stalked (the k is said, the l is silent: «stawk»). Do not confuse with «stock» or «stork» (a bird). A stalk (plant) and to stalk (follow) sound the same. «Stem» and «stalk» mean nearly the same for plants.