stint

¹

[stint]

verb (used without object)

1. to be frugal; get along on a scanty allowance.

   Don't stint on the food.

   They stinted for years in order to save money.

2. Archaic.,  to cease action; desist.

verb (used with object)

1. to limit to a certain amount, number, share, or allowance, often unduly; set limits to; restrict.

   Synonyms: skimp, scrimp, economize

2. Archaic.,  to bring to an end; check.

noun

1. a period of time spent doing something.

   a two-year stint in the army.

2. an allotted amount or piece of work.

   to do one's daily stint.

3. limitation or restriction, especially as to amount.

   to give without stint.

   Synonyms: tour of duty, tour, term, shift

4. a limited, prescribed, or expected quantity, share, rate, etc..

   to exceed one's stint.

   Synonyms: portion, allotment

5. Obsolete.,  a pause; halt.

stint

²

[stint]

noun

1. any of various small sandpipers of the genus Calidris, as the least sandpiper.

stint

¹

/ stɪnt /

verb

1. to be frugal or miserly towards (someone) with (something)

2. archaic,  to stop or check (something)

noun

1. an allotted or fixed amount of work

2. a limitation or check

3. obsolete,  a pause or stoppage

stint

²

/ stɪnt /

noun

1. any of various small sandpipers of the chiefly northern genus Calidris (or Erolia ), such as C. minuta ( little stint )

Other Word Forms

• stintedly adverb
• stintedness noun
• stinter noun
• stintingly adverb
• stintless adjective
• unstinted adjective
• unstinting adjective
• unstintingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of stint¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English verb stinten, stenten “to cease,” Old English styntan “to make blunt, dull”; cognate with Old Norse stytta “to shorten” ( stunt ¹ ); noun derivative of the verb

Origin of stint²

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English; stynte, stint; further origin unknown

Word History and Origins

Origin of stint¹

Old English styntan to blunt; related to Old Norse stytta to cut short; see _stunt ¹

Origin of stint²

Old English; related to Middle High German stinz small salmon, Swedish dialect stinta teenager; see _stunt ¹

Example Sentences

Few of them are favorable, highlighting his disdain for the late-night sketch comedy show, though his previous stints as host would suggest otherwise.

From Los Angeles Times

After a year in Bolivia, helping family farmers, and a stint teaching middle school, Mahan co-founded a social media company that focused on civic engagement and raising money for nonprofits.

From Los Angeles Times

Nuno joins West Ham shortly after a 21-month stint at the City Ground, where he was sacked only three games into this season.

From BBC

After six seasons with the New York Giants and a short stint late last season with the Minnesota Vikings, Jones has been outstanding for the Colts.

From Los Angeles Times

Even after completing a minor-league rehab stint for a shoulder problem that had kept him out since early August, he continued to feel residual soreness.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• assignment 
• duty 
• job 
• spell 
• stretch 
• tour