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stock-still

stock-still

2 6.2
Not moving at all
  • adjective
  • /stɑk stɪl/
: inmóvil
  • Commuters stand stock still, watching the big screen.
  • stood stock-still
  • sat stock-still
  • stock-still for a moment

He stood stock still, pursed his lips, stared up at the ceiling.

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Examples

  • As Humphries guided Amanda off to the bar, Pancho stood stock-still in the foyer.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • The child stood stock still now, rigid with rage and coloring to the roots of her pale hair.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • For all her eyes told her, they could have been standing stock still.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • There appears to be a real bird standing stock still about 3 inches inside the trail.

    Blog text (28)
  • I stood stock-still, unable to move, to speak, to wave, to scream.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Here and there in the crowd was one who stood stock still, like Thorp, as if dazed.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • But she sat stock still, listening attentively with a small frown on her face.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • As he passes the construction workers, they turn and stop, all alike in their hats, stock-still.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Not that he could remember his destination now, as he stood stock still and stared at her, his brain turned to jelly.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • At the first command to stop, he stood stock-still and raised his hands.

Synonyms

still
vsstock-still
593 1.0

Not moving or making a sound

is narrower, used for total immobility rather than calm quietness
stationary
vsstock-still
47 2.9

Not moving and staying in one place

is more about complete immobility rather than merely fixed position
motionless
vsstock-still
33 3.0

Completely still with no movement, like a statue

is the same absolute stillness expressed in an informal way
at rest
vsstock-still
20 2.4

Someone or something that is quiet and still and not moving

is stricter, meaning total absence of movement rather than rest
in stasis
vsstock-still
16 8.1

Not moving or changing for a time

is narrower, referring to physical complete stillness rather than inactivity
unmoving
vsstock-still
7 2.2

Completely still and keeping the same position

is more focused on total, absolute lack of movement
rooted
vsstock-still
5 5.5

Unable to move because of shock, fear, or surprise

is neutral and describes absolute stillness without emotional cause
moveless
vsstock-still
1 6.9

Completely still and not changing position

is essentially the same, stressing absolute absence of movement
stational
vsstock-still
  • Archaic
9.2

Not moving and fixed in one place

is stronger, indicating complete absence of any movement

Antonyms

286 1.0

Not still and going from one place to another

232 1.0

Operating now and not stopped

How Still

stock-still
2 6.2
motionless
33 3.0
still
593 1.0
quiet
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

stock-still positive

Morphology

stock-still = stock + still (opaque) = stock + still

The combination of 'stock' and 'still' does not transparently convey the meaning of 'completely still' without prior knowledge.

Etymology

Stock-still comes from the old word stock, which once meant a 'tree trunk' or 'stump'. Think of a solid tree trunk that cannot move; that's why stock-still means completely motionless.