stymie
or sty·my or sti·my
[ stahy-mee ]
/ ˈstaɪ mi /
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noun
Golf. (on a putting green) an instance of a ball's lying on a direct line between the cup and the ball of an opponent about to putt.
a situation or problem presenting such difficulties as to discourage or defeat any attempt to deal with or resolve it.
verb (used with object), sty·mied, sty·mie·ing.
to hinder, block, or thwart.
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Origin of stymie
First recorded in 1855–60; origin uncertain
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for stymie
British Dictionary definitions for stymie
stymie
stymy
/ (ˈstaɪmɪ) /
verb -mies, -mieing, -mied, -mies, -mying or -mied (tr; often passive)
to hinder or thwart
golf to impede with a stymie
noun plural -mies
golf (formerly) a situation on the green in which an opponent's ball is blocking the line between the hole and the ball about to be played: an obstructing ball may now be lifted and replaced by a marker
a situation of obstruction
Word Origin for stymie
C19: of uncertain origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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