The Collaborative International Dictionary
Stale \Stale\, a. [Akin to stale urine, and to stall, n.; probably from Low German or Scandinavian. Cf. Stale, v. i.]
Vapid or tasteless from age; having lost its life, spirit, and flavor, from being long kept; as, stale beer.
Not new; not freshly made; as, stale bread.
Having lost the life or graces of youth; worn out; decayed. ``A stale virgin.''
--Spectator.-
Worn out by use or familiarity; having lost its novelty and power of pleasing; trite; common.
--Swift.Wit itself, if stale is less pleasing.
--Grew.How weary, stale flat, and unprofitable Seem to me all the uses of this world!
--Shak.Stale affidavit (Law), an affidavit held above a year.
--Craig.Stale demand (Law), a claim or demand which has not been pressed or demanded for a long time.