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In games of chance and skill: To defeat (an opponent) (as in cards) so that he fails to gain a point, or (in checkers) to get a king. [Colloq.

To languish; to fail; to flag.

One who is disgruntled by a failure in politics, or the like. [Slang, U.S.]

The act of sousing, or swooping. As a falcon fair That once hath failed or her souse full near. Spenser.

n; dispatch; as, the speed a horse or a vessel. Speed, to describe whose swiftness number fails. Milton.

To cease to stand firm; to begin to give way; to fail. "The enemy staggers." Addison.

To maintain one's ground; to be acquitted; not to fail or yield; to be safe. Readers by whose judgment I would stand or fall. Spectator.

used for hoisting or lowering heavy articles over the side. -- To miss stays (Naut.), to fail in the attempt to go about. Totten. -- Triatic stay (Naut.), a rope secured at the ends to the heads of the foremast and mainmast with thimbles spliced to its bight into which the stay tackles hook.

remains fast; sticking point. But screw your courage to the sticking place, And we'll not fail. Shak. -- Sticking plaster, an adhesive plaster for closing wounds, and for similar uses. -- Sticking point. Same as Sticking place, above.

uck; spoiled in making. [Scot.] Stickit minister, a candidate for the clerical office who fails, disqualified by incompetency or immorality.

wo strings to one's bow, to have a means or expedient in reserve in case the one employed fails.

To fail in the thread; to lose the thread, as a bolt, screw, or nut. See Strip, v. t., 8.

for thought and contemplation; as, the studious shade. [Poetic] But let my due feet never fail To walk the studious cloister's pale. Milton. -- Stu"di*ous*ly, adv. -- Stu"di*ous*ness, n.

A blunder; a failure; a fall from rectitude. One stumble is enough to deface the character of an honorable life. L'Estrange.

The designation of a person in a will to take a devise or legacy, either on failure of a former devisee or legatee by incapacity or unwillingness to accept, or after him. Burrill.

To keep from failing or sinking; to solace under affictive circumstances; to assist; to encourage; to defend; as, to support the courage or spirits.

Fit or worthy to be depended on; certain not to fail or disappoint expectation; unfailing; strong; permanent; enduring. "His sure word." Keble. The Lord will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the Lord. 1 Sam. xxv. 28. The testimony of the Lord is sure. Ps. xix. 7. Which put in…

tate chemical action. To suspend payment (Com.), to cease paying debts or obligations; to fail; -- said of a merchant, a bank, etc.

To endure without failing or yielding; to bear up under; as, to sustain defeat and disappointment.

A thrust with a lance, which fails of its intended effect. [Obs.] This taint he followed with his sword drawn from a silver sheath. Chapman.