Chess. rare. Also 6 Sc. stail. [Perh. a. AF. estaler, ? of English origin: cf. STALL v.]

1

  a.  trans. = STALEMATE v.

2

c. 1470.  MS. Ashmole 344, lf. 7. He shall stale þe black kyng in the pointe þer the crosse standith. Ibid., lf. 17. Drau thou ther as thy pon stode, ande stale hym.

3

1903.  H. J. R. Murray, in Brit. Chess. Mag., 283. In China, however, a player who stales his opponent’s King, wins the game.

4

  b.  intr. To undergo stalemate.

5

a. 1585.  Montgomerie, Cherrie & Slae, 216. For vnder cure I gat sik chek, Quhilk I micht nocht remuif nor nek, Bot eyther stail or mait.

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