Emily Dickinson Lexicon

STAG'NATE, v.i. [L. stagno, stagnum; It. stagnare.]

1. To cease to flow; to be motionless; as, blood stagnates in the veins of an animal; air stagnates in a close room.
2. To cease to move; not to be agitated. Water that stagnates in a pond or reservoir soon becomes foul.
3. To cease to be brisk or active; to become dull; as, commerce stagnates; business stagnates.