STACK • DICCIONARIO INGLES.COM • Definition of Stack

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/stæk/ Listen

noun

Stack n.

A large and to some degree orderly pile of hay, grain, straw, or the like, usually of a nearly conical form, but sometimes rectangular or oblong, contracted at the top to a point or ridge, and sometimes covered with thatch. "But corn was housed, and beans were in the stack."

Hence: An orderly pile of any type of object, indefinite in quantity; used especially of piles of wood. A stack is usually more orderly than a pile "Against every pillar was a stack of billets above a man's height."

Specifically: A pile of wood containing 108 cubic feet. (Eng.)

Hence: A large quantity; as, a stack of cash. (Informal)

(Arch.)

(a)

A number of flues embodied in one structure, rising above the roof. Hence:

(b)

Any single insulated and prominent structure, or upright pipe, which affords a conduit for smoke; as, the brick smokestack of a factory; the smokestack of a steam vessel.

(Computer programming)

(a)

A section of memory in a computer used for temporary storage of data, in which the last datum stored is the first retrieved.

(b)

A data structure within random-access memory used to simulate a hardware stack; as, a push-down stack.

pl. The section of a library containing shelves which hold books less frequently requested.

Stack of arms (Mil.), a number of muskets or rifles set up together, with the bayonets crossing one another, forming a sort of conical self-supporting pile.

to blow one's stacks to become very angry and lose one's self-control, and especially to display one's fury by shouting.

verb

Stack v. t. (past & past part. stacked; pres. part. stacking)

To lay in a conical or other pile; to make into a large pile; as, to stack hay, cornstalks, or grain; to stack or place wood.

Specifically: To place in a vertical arrangement so that each item in a pile is resting on top of another item in the pile, except for the bottom item; as, to stack the papers neatly on the desk; to stack the bricks.

To select or arrange dishonestly so as to achieve an unfair advantage; as, to stack a deck of cards; to stack a jury with persons prejudiced against the defendant.

To stack arms (Mil.), to set up a number of muskets or rifles together, with the bayonets crossing one another, and forming a sort of conical pile.

See images of 'Stack'

Etymology of 'Stack'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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