stalk

• Nom avec plusieurs sens : il peut désigner la tige principale d'une plante, l'acte de suivre quelqu'un discrètement, ou une démarche raide et menaçante.

A noun with multiple meanings: it can refer to the main stem of a plant, the act of following someone or something stealthily, or a stiff, threatening way of walking.

1. Plant stemA2formal

   The main stem or slender supporting structure of a plant, leaf, flower, or fruit.

   tige

   • The rose has a long green stalk.
   • He cut the stalk of the apple from the tree.
   • The leaves grow directly from the stalk.

   Synonymespedicelpedunclepetiolestem

2. Agricultural residueB2formalscientific

   The material consisting of seed coverings and small pieces of stem or leaves that have been separated from the seeds.

   Résidu agricole (pailles et menues pailles)

   • The farmer used the stalk as animal bedding.
   • After threshing, the stalk was left in the field.
   • Stalk from the harvest is often composted.

   Synonymeschaffhuskshuckstrawstubble

3. Stealthy pursuitB2formal

   The act of following a person or animal stealthily or waiting in ambush, often for hunting or surveillance.

   Poursuite furtive

   • The lion's stalk of the zebra was silent and patient.
   • He went on a deer stalk in the forest.
   • The detective's stalk of the suspect lasted for hours.

   Synonymesambushhuntingpursuitshadowingstalkingtailingtracking

4. Stiff gaitC1informal

   A stiff or threatening manner of walking.

   Démarche raide et menaçante

   • He walked with a determined stalk across the room.
   • Her stalk was full of anger and purpose.
   • The villain's stalk made everyone nervous.

   Synonymesstridestrutswagger

• Verbe désignant l'action de suivre ou d'approcher quelqu'un ou quelque chose de manière furtive ou persistante, souvent avec une intention malveillante, ou de harceler une personne en la poursuivant de façon obsessionnelle.

A verb used to indicate the act of following or approaching someone or something stealthily, often with harmful intent, or to pursue persistently.

1. Walk stifflyB2formal

   To walk in a stiff, proud, or angry manner.

   marcher d'un pas raide et hautain

   • She stalked out of the room after the argument.
   • He stalked away without saying a word.
   • The angry manager stalked across the office floor.

   Synonymesflouncemarchstompstormstridestrutswaggersweep

2. Follow stealthilyB2formal

   To follow or approach someone or something quietly and secretly, often with harmful intent.

   suivre furtivement

   • The detective stalked the suspect through the crowded market.
   • A cat stalked a bird in the garden.
   • The paparazzi stalked the celebrity for hours.

   Synonymesdogfollowhuntpursueshadowtailtracktrail

3. Recur constantlyC1formal

   To recur or persist in a way that is difficult to ignore, often causing distress.

   Hanter / poursuivre

   • The memory of the accident stalked him for years.
   • Fear stalked her thoughts every night.
   • Guilt stalked his conscience after the betrayal.

   Synonymesbedevildoghauntobsessplaguetorment

4. Search for preyB2formal

   To move through an area in a determined way to find and capture prey.

   traquer une proie

   • The lion stalked the savannah in search of food.
   • Hunters stalked the forest for deer.
   • The wolf stalked the herd of elk.

   Synonymeschasefollowhuntpursueshadowtracktrail