stopper

views updated May 21 2018

stop·per / ˈstäpər/ • n. 1. a plug for sealing a hole, esp. in the neck of a bottle or other container.2. a person or thing that halts or obstructs a specified thing: [in comb.] a crime-stopper. ∎  (in soccer and other sports) a player whose function is to block attacks on goal from the middle of the field. ∎  Baseball a starting pitcher depended on to win a game or stop a losing streak, or a relief pitcher used to prevent the opposing team from scoring. ∎  (in sailing or climbing) a rope or clamp for preventing a rope or cable from running out. ∎  Bridge another term for control.• v. [usu. as adj.] (stoppered) use a stopper to seal (a bottle or other container): a small stoppered jar.PHRASES: put a (or the) stopper on inf. prevent from happening or continuing.