sta ge name (stage names ) N‑COUNT A stage name is a name that an actor or entertainer uses instead of his or her real name when they work. □ She performed under the stage name Princess.
sta ge ri ght ADV [usu ADV after v] Stage right is the right side of the stage for an actor who is standing facing the audience.
sta ge-struck also stagestruck ADJ Someone who is stage-struck is fascinated by the theatre and wants to become an actor or actress.
sta ge whi s|per (stage whispers ) also stage-whisper N‑COUNT If someone says something in a stage whisper , they say it as if they are speaking privately to one person, although it is actually loud enough to be heard by other people.
stag|fla|tion /stæ gfle I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT If an economy is suffering from stagflation , inflation is high but there is no increase in the demand for goods or in the number of people who have jobs. [BUSINESS ]
stag|ger /stæ gə r / (staggers , staggering , staggered )
1 VERB If you stagger , you walk very unsteadily, for example because you are ill or drunk. □ [V adv/prep] He lost his balance, staggered back against the rail and toppled over. □ [V ] He was staggering and had to lean on the bar.
2 VERB If you say that someone or something staggers on , you mean that it is only just succeeds in continuing. □ [V adv/prep] Truman allowed him to stagger on for nearly another two years.
3 VERB If something staggers you, it surprises you very much. □ [V n] The whole thing staggers me. ● stag|gered ADJ [v-link ADJ ] □ I was simply staggered by the heat of the Argentinian high-summer.
4 VERB To stagger things such as people's holidays or hours of work means to arrange them so that they do not all happen at the same time. □ [V n] During the past few years the government has staggered summer vacation periods.
5 → see also staggering
stag|ger|ing /stæ gər I ŋ/ ADJ Something that is staggering is very surprising. □ The results have been quite staggering.
sta g|ing post (staging posts ) also staging-post
1 N‑COUNT A staging post on a long journey is a place where people who are making that journey usually stop, for example to rest or to get new supplies. [BRIT ] □ The island is a staging-post for many visiting yachts on their way south.
2 N‑COUNT If you describe an action or achievement as a staging post , you mean that it helps you reach a particular goal that you have. [BRIT ] □ Privatisation is a necessary staging post to an open market.
stag|nant /stæ gnənt/
1 ADJ If something such as a business or society is stagnant , there is little activity or change. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He is seeking advice on how to revive the stagnant economy. □ Mass movements are often a factor in the awakening and renovation of stagnant societies.
2 ADJ Stagnant water is not flowing, and therefore often smells unpleasant and is dirty.
stag|nate /stægne I t, [AM ] stæ gne I t/ (stagnates , stagnating , stagnated ) VERB If something such as a business or society stagnates , it stops changing or progressing. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V ] Industrial production is stagnating. ● stag|na|tion /stægne I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the stagnation of the steel industry.
sta g night (stag nights ) N‑COUNT A stag night is a party for a man who is getting married very soon, to which only men are invited.
sta g par|ty (stag parties ) N‑COUNT A stag party is the same as a stag night .
staid /ste I d/ ADJ If you say that someone or something is staid , you mean that they are serious, dull, and rather old-fashioned. □ …a staid seaside resort.
stain /ste I n/ (stains , staining , stained )
1 N‑COUNT A stain is a mark on something that is difficult to remove. □ Remove stains by soaking in a mild solution of bleach. □ …a black stain.
2 VERB If a liquid stains something, the thing becomes coloured or marked by the liquid. □ [V n] Some foods can stain the teeth, as of course can smoking. ● stained ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] □ His clothing was stained with mud. ● -stained COMB □ …ink-stained fingers.
stai ned gla ss also stained-glass N‑UNCOUNT Stained glass consists of pieces of glass of different colours which are fixed together to make decorative windows or other objects.
stain|less steel /ste I nləs stiː l/ N‑UNCOUNT Stainless steel is a metal made from steel and chromium which does not rust. □ …a stainless steel sink.
stair /steə r / (stairs )
1 N‑PLURAL Stairs are a set of steps inside a building which go from one floor to another. □ Nancy began to climb the stairs. □ We walked up a flight of stairs. □ He stopped at the top of the stairs. □ …a stair carpet.
2 N‑COUNT A stair is one of the steps in a flight of stairs. □ Terry was sitting on the bottom stair.
stair|case /steə r ke I s/ (staircases ) N‑COUNT A staircase is a set of stairs inside a building. □ They walked down the staircase together.
stair|lift /steə r l I ft/ also stair lift (stairlifts ) N‑COUNT A stairlift is a device that is fitted to a staircase in a house in order to allow an elderly or sick person to go upstairs.