adv. and predicative adj. [See STONE sb. 19 and STILL adv. and a.; cf. STOCKSTILL.] As still as a stone; perfectly still or motionless. Usually after sit, stand, lie, etc.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 414. Sitte ȝe mid Marie ston-stille ed Godes fet, and hercneð him one.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, i. (Peter), 491. Þe body lay stan still.
c. 1475. Hunt. Hare, 42. Jac Wade hase a dogge … wyll take a bull, And hold hym ston-styll.
1595. Shaks., John, IV. i. 77. I will not struggle, I will stand stone still.
1668. R. L’Estrange, Vis. Quev., vii. 212. At the very name of Priest,… Lucifer stood stone-still, as mute as a fish.
1718[?]. Pope, Lett. to Duke Buckhm., Wks. 1886, X. 149. I imagined it had been a village in Amphion’s time, where all the cottages having taken a country dance together, had … stood stone-still with amazement ever since.
1859. Meredith, R. Feverel, i. She lay stone-still in a trance of terror.
† b. Perfectly quiet or silent. Obs.
1338. R. Brunne, Chron. (1725), 266. Nouþer suld werri bi lond, no in water bi schip, Bot hold þam stone stille in pes at þer cuntre.
c. 1425. Seven Sag. (P.), 1735. Scho sewyd hyr modyr wylle, And went hom al ston stille.
