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 )

Derived Forms

• ˈstinter, noun

Other Words From

• stinted·ly adverb
• stinted·ness noun
• stinter noun
• stinting·ly adverb
• stintless adjective
• un·stinted adjective
• un·stinting adjective
• un·stinting·ly 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

Hamilton said he thought his puncture was caused by excessive tyre wear from a car that was lacking front grip on a long first stint.

From BBC

Van Nistelrooy oversaw three wins and one draw during his four-game stint in charge at United, with two of the victories coming against Leicester in the Premier League and Carabao Cup.

From BBC

The prime minister’s decision on who he calls up first is being watched very closely for a guide to who has impressed him during Labour’s short stint in office so far.

From BBC

He oversaw three wins and one draw during his stint in charge at United, but departed after being told he would not be given a role in new manager Ruben Amorim's backroom staff.

From BBC

Since 2010, he’s been convicted several times, banned from making films and has spent multiple stints behind bars.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• scrimp