stick

A stick is a slender piece of wood, typically a branch or twig that has separated from a tree or shrub. They vary in length from a few centimeters to more than a meter and can be green or dry, with surfaces that are smooth or rough. Most sticks are composed of wood with outer bark and interior sapwood or heartwood.

In nature, sticks are common litter on the forest floor. They decompose and contribute nutrients, while their crevices and surfaces provide microhabitats for small invertebrates and fungi.

Humans use sticks for a variety of purposes. Walking sticks or staffs provide support when traversing uneven ground. Sticks may be carved, decorated, or sharpened to serve as tools or weapons, or used in ceremonial contexts. In sports, sticks refer to equipment such as hockey sticks or lacrosse sticks, which are designed to control and propel balls or pucks. Sticks are also used as makeshift tools or as kindling for fires when dry. Modern sticks may be made of wood, metal, fiberglass, carbon fiber, or composites, depending on intended use.

The word is also used as a verb with senses such as to adhere or to attach.

Etymology: The word "stick" comes from Old English sticca, related to other Germanic languages.