stalled
UK: stɔːld | US: stɔːld
v. (past tense of stall) meaning 1: to bring or come to a standstill, often unintentionally
v. meaning 2: to delay or obstruct progress deliberately
v. meaning 3: (of an engine or vehicle) to stop running due to insufficient power
The word "stall" originates from Old English steall, meaning "a standing place" or "stable," derived from Proto-Germanic stallaz. Over time, it evolved to signify a halt or obstruction, particularly in the context of engines or progress. The suffix "-ed" marks the past tense, forming "stalled" to describe an action already completed. The logic traces back to the idea of being "stuck in place," whether literally (e.g., a vehicle) or figuratively (e.g., negotiations).
The car stalled in the middle of the intersection.
Negotiations stalled due to disagreements over terms.
She stalled for time by asking irrelevant questions.
The airplane's engine stalled during takeoff.
His career stalled after the company downsized.