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One of several marked phases or periods in the development and growth of many animals and plants; as, the larval stage; pupa stage; zoea stage. Stage box, a box close to the stage in a theater. -- Stage carriage, a stagecoach. -- Stage door, the actor's and workmen's entrance to a theater. -- Stage lights, the light…

Highest and stationary condition, as that of maturity between growth and decline, or as that of crisis between the increase and the abating of a disease; height; acme. [Obs.]

to supply it with cattle and tools; to stock land, that is, to occupy it with a permanent growth, especially of grass.

limits, as the branches of a plant; to spread widely apart; to shoot too far or widely in growth. Trim off the small, superfluous branches on each side of the hedge that straggle too far out. Mortimer.

Something that shoots, or spreads out, beyond the rest, or too far; an exuberant growth. Let thy hand supply the pruning knife, And crop luxuriant stragglers. Dryden.

The deposition of material in successive layers in the growth of a cell wall, thus giving rise to a stratified appearance.

To grow strong or stronger. The young disease, that must subdue at length, Grows with his growth, and strengthens with his strength. Pope.

To hinder from growing to the natural size; to prevent the growth of; to stint, to dwarf; as, to stunt a child; to stunt a plant. When, by a cold penury, I blast the abilities of a nation, and stunt the growth of its active energies, the ill or may do is beyond all calculation. Burke.

he functions by which a living organism is maintained in a normal condition of weight and growth. Sustentation fund (Eccl.), a fund of a religious body for support of its ministers, chapels, etc.; as, the sustentation fund of the Free Church of Scotland.

The process of the first growth of teeth, or the phenomena attending their issue through the gums; dentition.

Resembling a monster; abnormal; of a pathological growth, exceedingly complex or highly organized. S. D. Gross.

Vigorous growth, as of a plant.

The quality or condition of one who thrives; prosperity; growth; increase.

t of tilling or preparing land for seed, and keeping the ground in a proper state for the growth of crops.

Covered with growth timber; wooden; as, well-timbered land.

Modification of the direction of growth.

A stout stem, as of a tree, with the branches lopped off, to produce rapid growth. Gardner.

A fluid containing the products formed by the growth of the tubercle bacillus in a suitable culture medium.

A morbid swelling, prominence, or growth, on any part of the body; especially, a growth produced by deposition of new tissue; a neoplasm.

A basic substance, C7H17NO2, formed from the growth of the typhoid bacillus on meat pulp. It induces in small animals lethargic conditions with liquid dejecta.