stone-still, adv. and pred. a.
[See stone n. 19 and still adv. and a.; cf. stock-still.]
As still as a stone; perfectly still or motionless. Usually after sit, stand, lie, etc.
| a 1225 Ancr. R. 414 Sitte ȝe mid Marie ston-stille ed Godes fet, and hercneð him one. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints i. (Peter) 491 Þe body lay stan still. c 1475 Hunt. Hare 42 Jac Wade hase a dogge..wyll take a bull, And hold hym ston-styll. 1595 Shakes. John iv. i. 77, I will not struggle, I will stand stone still. 1608 L'Estrange Vis. Quev. vii. 212 At the very name of Priest,..Lucifer stood stone-still, as mute as a fish. ? 1718 Pope Let. to Duke Buckhm. Wks. 1886 X. 149, I imagined it had been a village in Amphion's time, where all the cottages having taken a country dance together, had..stood stone-still with amazement ever since. 1859 Meredith R. Feverel i, She lay stone-still in a trance of terror. |
† b. Perfectly quiet or silent. Obs.
| 1338 R. Brunne Chron. (1725) 266 Nouþer suld werri bi lond, no in water bi schip, Bot hold þam stone stille in pes at þer cuntre. c 1425 Seven Sag. (P.) 1735 Scho sewyd hyr modyr wylle, And went hom al ston stille. |