der Stock
Translation
stick, cane, floor, story
Examples
Der alte Mann geht mit einem Stock.
The old man walks with a cane.
Ich wohne im dritten Stock.
I live on the third floor.
Grammar Patterns
to go with ((sth.)) Der alte Mann geht mit einem Stock.
to live on the ((ordinal number)) floor Ich wohne im dritten Stock.
Similar Words
Synonyms: Stab (rod, staff); Etage (floor)
Etymology
From Old High German 'stoc', meaning 'tree trunk, stump, stick'. The meaning 'floor' developed from timber-frame construction methods.
Memory Tips
Imagine using a long 'Stock' (stick) to point up to the third 'Stock' (floor) of a building. Both meanings are 'stocked' in one word.