The stem of a plant, or to follow someone secretly and repeatedly without permission.
From Old English 'stealcian,' originally meaning to walk stiffly or with stilts. The 'plant stem' meaning developed separately from Germanic roots.
Bamboo stalks are among the fastest-growing organisms on Earth—some species gain nearly a meter in just 24 hours—and they're stronger than steel for their weight.
Stalking has become gendered in modern usage as a crime disproportionately targeting women, rooted in power dynamics and persistent harassment. Legal and social frameworks now recognize this pattern, though the word itself predates modern gendered implications.
When discussing the crime, use 'stalking' precisely. When using metaphorically (e.g., 'stalk prey'), clarify the context to avoid trivializing harassment.
["pursue (for hunting)","harass (for criminal context)","approach stealthily (neutral)"]
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