Pronunciation: [stˈuːl] (IPA) 
The word "stool" is spelled as /stuːl/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The initial sound of the word is represented by the IPA symbol /s/. It is followed by the diphthong /uː/, which represents the "oo" sound. Finally, the word ends with the consonant /l/, which is represented by the symbol /l/. The spelling of "stool" follows typical English spelling patterns, with the double "o" representing the elongated vowel sound.
Stool can refer to various different objects, each with its own distinct meaning. As a noun, stool has multiple definitions and can be used to describe a type of seat without a backrest or armrests. It usually consists of a flat top surface, often circular or square, positioned on three or four legs. Stools are typically smaller and lower in height than chairs, designed to accommodate a single person. They can be found in a wide range of materials, such as wood, metal, or plastic, and are commonly seen in kitchens, bars, or outdoor settings.
Alternatively, stool can also refer to a piece of furniture specifically designed for use in medical or laboratory settings. These stools typically have a swiveling seat and are adjustable in height to enable the user to perform tasks while sitting comfortably.
Another meaning of stool is related to bodily excretion. In this context, stool is a term used to describe solid waste matter that is eliminated from the body through the rectum. It is typically a composition of undigested food, water, and waste products from the body, and its appearance and consistency can provide insights into a person's digestive health. Stool can vary in color, shape, and texture depending on factors such as diet, hydration, and possible medical conditions.
Overall, the word "stool" can refer to a seat without a backrest, a medical or laboratory chair, or bodily waste matter. The particular definition depends on the context in which it is used.
1. An evacuation of the bowels. 2. Feces, the matter discharged at one movement of the bowels.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
• A small seat without a back; a little form; the seat for evacuating the bowels; the act itself; the evacuations of the bowels.
• A stemless mother-plant used for propagation by annually bending its branches into the soil; the root or stump of a timber-tree which throws up shoots; the set or cluster of shoots thus produced.
• To send out suckers.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "stool" can be traced back to Old English, where it was known as "stōl", meaning "seat" or "stool". This Old English word can further be linked to Proto-Germanic "stōla" and Proto-Indo-European *stel-, both of which carry the meaning of "seat". The word has remained relatively unchanged throughout its history in terms of its basic meaning, referring to a piece of furniture used for sitting.
