stock-still

American  

[stok-stil] / ˈstɒkˈstɪl /

adjective

1. completely still; motionless.

---

stock-still British  

adverb

1. absolutely still; motionless

---

Etymology

Origin of stock-still

First recorded in 1425–75, stock-still is from late Middle English stok still. See stock, still ¹

Example Sentences

She stood stock-still in the moonlight until she heard the yowling.

From Literature

She trains them to stand stock-still when a judge inspects them nose to tail, or trot in a circle without getting distracted by the crowd.

From The Wall Street Journal

Even if almost everyone in attendance lay on the ground stock-still.

From Los Angeles Times

Josie and Ivy were still standing stock-still on the sidewalk, staring at one another in shock, when Josie’s dad caught up with her.

From Literature

In the new study, three participants laid stock-still in an fMRI scanner for 15 sessions that totaled to 16 hours.

From Scientific American