stool
Translation
stool, seat, feces
Examples
He sat on a high stool at the bar.
He sat on a high stool at the bar.
The doctor asked for a stool sample.
The doctor asked for a stool sample.
Grammar Patterns
a stool a seat for one person that has no back or arms He sat on a wooden stool.
a stool sample a small amount of feces for medical tests The doctor asked for a stool sample.
Similar Words
Synonyms (seat): seat, bench; Synonyms (medical): feces, excrement
Etymology
From Old English 'stōl' meaning 'seat, chair'. Related to German 'Stuhl' (chair). The medical sense comes from the use of a 'close-stool', a type of portable toilet.
Memory Tips
Remember the two very different meanings: a stool to sit on, and a stool sample for the doctor. Don't mix them up!