Stalemate | Define Stalemate at Dictionary.com

1765, in chess, from stale "stalemate" (1425) + mate "checkmate" (see checkmate). M.E. stale is probably from Anglo-Fr. estale "standstill" (see stall (2)). ... of the 19th c. the player who received stalemate won the game" [OED]. Fig sense is recorded fr

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