stance

[ stans ]

noun

1. the position or bearing of the body while standing: standing:

   legs spread in a wide stance; the threatening stance of the bull.

2. a mental or emotional position adopted with respect to something:

   They assumed an increasingly hostile stance in their foreign policy.

3. Sports. the relative position of the feet, as in addressing a golf ball or in making a stroke.

stance

/ stæns; stɑːns /

noun

1. the manner and position in which a person or animal stands
2. sport the posture assumed when about to play the ball, as in golf, cricket, etc
3. general emotional or intellectual attitude

   a leftist stance

4. a place where buses or taxis wait
5. mountaineering a place at the top of a pitch where a climber can stand and belay

Word History and Origins

Origin of stance¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Old French estance, “(standing) position,” from Vulgar Latin stantia (unrecorded), derivative of Latin stant-, stem of stāns “standing,” present participle of stāre “to stand”; stand

Word History and Origins

Origin of stance¹

C16: via French from Italian stanza place for standing, from Latin stāns , from stāre to stand

Example Sentences

That officer fretting about his “stance,” we learn, is plagued by PTSD that cripples him both on the job and at home.

From The Daily Beast

Or has the see and hear and speak-no-evil stance of the Republican House persuaded him that he is in the clear?

From The Daily Beast

They took an anti-establishment stance to a new level, openly opposing the government.

From The Daily Beast

Of all the people to look up to for a back-to-nature stance, why the monster from Spahn Ranch?

From The Daily Beast

To begin with, To Russia With Love takes a firm anti-Putin, anti-Russian government stance.

From The Daily Beast

Booverman sighted the hole, and then took his stance; but the cleek in his hand shook like an aspen.

From Project Gutenberg

Using remarkable photographs, Vardon devotes a chapter to each club and chapters to stance, grip, and swing.

From Project Gutenberg

The Nordic, from his twisted stance, had a couple of broken ribs already; the Eurasian's right ear dangled redly.

From Project Gutenberg

I'd like to take a flat-footed stance as claiming that the end justified the means.

From Project Gutenberg

From his stance he commanded the stair and could see along the corridor as well.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• attitude
• posture
• stand
• viewpoint