stalk
stalk [stalk stalks stalked stalking] noun, verb BrE [stɔːk] NAmE [stɔːk]
noun
1. a thin ↑stem that supports a leaf, flower or fruit and joins it to another part of the plant or tree; the main ↑stem of a plant
•flowers on long stalks
•celery stalks
•He ate the apple, stalk and all.
2. a long thin structure that supports sth, especially an organ in some animals, and joins it on to another part
•Crabs have eyes on stalks.
Word Origin:
n. Middle English stale ‘rung of a ladder, long handle’ v. late Old English -stealcian bistealcian ‘walk cautiously or stealthily’ Germanic ↑steal
verb
1. transitive, intransitive ~ (sth/sb) to move slowly and quietly towards an animal or a person, in order to kill, catch or harm it or them
•The lion was stalking a zebra.
•He stalked his victim as she walked home, before attacking and robbing her.
2. transitive ~ sb to illegally follow and watch sb over a long period of time, in a way that is annoying or frightening
•She claimed that he had been stalking her over a period of three years.
3. intransitive + adv./prep. to walk in an angry or proud way
•He stalked off without a word.
•The actress stalked out of a press conference when asked if she had a weight problem.
4. transitive, intransitive ~ (sth) to move through a place in an unpleasant or threatening way
•The gunmen stalked the building, looking for victims.
• (figurative)Fear stalks the streets of the city at night.
Verb forms: 
Word Origin:
n. Middle English stale ‘rung of a ladder, long handle’ v. late Old English -stealcian bistealcian ‘walk cautiously or stealthily’ Germanic ↑steal
Example Bank:
•He was arrested and accused of stalking the actor over a period of three years.
•Snatching up her bag, she stalked out of the room.
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