noun

stump

STUMP/stʌmp/

The short part left after the rest has been cut off or removed.

The stump remains with exposed growth rings after the tree is cut.

A tree stump with growth rings and roots remains after the trunk was cut away; no person required.

Etymology

Middle English stumpe named a remnant left after cutting, including what remained of a severed limb. A tree stump is specifically the surviving lower portion after the main trunk is removed.

In context

Town of Amherst, MA37:56

a stump Sprout but if you cut the tree and don't kill it uh with herbicides then it's going to resprout

Conservation Commission Meeting Feb 28, 2024

More examples

Several stumps dotted the clearing.
He sharpened the stump of a pencil.
Roots spread beneath the old stump.

Forms

stump · stumps

Similar words

remnant: Can be any surviving part, not necessarily cut short.
stub: Usually suggests a smaller, short remaining piece.