A Stale

1. A long, thin handle (of rakes, axes, etc.)
2. (dialectal) The posts and rungs composing a ladder.
3. (botany, obsolete) The stem of a plant.
4. The shaft of an arrow, spear, etc.

Synonyms

• handle (grip of tools, generally)
• haft (grip of tools, generally, and especially of axes)
• helve (grip of tools, generally)
• shaft (body of arrows, spears, etc.)
• snath, the shaft of a scythe
• stem (plants)