What is "to make a stand"

Stand \Stand\ (st[a^]nd), n. [AS. stand. See Stand, v. i.]

1. The act of standing.

   I took my stand upon an eminence . . . to look into their several ladings.
   --Spectator.

2. A halt or stop for the purpose of defense, resistance, or opposition; as, to come to, or to make, a stand.

   Vice is at stand, and at the highest flow.
   --Dryden.

3. A place or post where one stands; a place where one may stand while observing or waiting for something.

   I have found you out a stand most fit, Where you may have such vantage on the duke, He shall not pass you.
   --Shak.

4. A station in a city or town where carriages or wagons stand for hire; as, a cab stand.
   --Dickens.

5. A raised platform or station where a race or other outdoor spectacle may be viewed; as, the judge's or the grand stand at a race course.

6. A small table; also, something on or in which anything may be laid, hung, or placed upright; as, a hatstand; an umbrella stand; a music stand.

7. The place where a witness stands to testify in court.

8. The situation of a shop, store, hotel, etc.; as, a good, bad, or convenient stand for business. [U. S.]

9. Rank; post; station; standing.

   Father, since your fortune did attain So high a stand, I mean not to descend.
   --Daniel.

10. A state of perplexity or embarrassment; as, to be at a stand what to do.
    --L'Estrange.

11. A young tree, usually reserved when other trees are cut; also, a tree growing or standing upon its own root, in distinction from one produced from a scion set in a stock, either of the same or another kind of tree.

12. (Com.) A weight of from two hundred and fifty to three hundred pounds, -- used in weighing pitch.

    Microscope stand, the instrument, excepting the eyepiece, objective, and other removable optical parts.

    Stand of ammunition, the projectile, cartridge, and sabot connected together.

    Stand of arms. (Mil.) See under Arms.

    Stand of colors (Mil.), a single color, or flag.
    --Wilhelm (Mil. Dict.)

    To be at a stand, to be stationary or motionless; to be at a standstill; hence, to be perplexed; to be embarrassed.

    To make a stand, to halt for the purpose of offering resistance to a pursuing enemy.

    Syn: Stop; halt; rest; interruption; obstruction; perplexity; difficulty; embarrassment; hesitation.