The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Stale \Stale\ (st[=a]l), n. [OE. stale, stele, AS. stael, stel;
   akin to LG. & D. steel, G. stiel; cf. L. stilus stake, stalk,
   stem, Gr. steleo`n a handle, and E. stall, stalk, n.]
   The stock or handle of anything; as, the stale of a rake.
   [Written also steal, stele, etc.]
   [1913 Webster]

         But seeing the arrow's stale without, and that the head
         did go
         No further than it might be seen.        --Chapman.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Stele \Ste"le\ (st[=e]"l[=e]), n. [NL.]
   Same as Stela.
   [1913 Webster]

         One of these steles, containing the Greek version of
         the ordinance, has recently been discovered. --I.
                                                  Taylor (The
                                                  Alphabet).
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Stele \Stele\ (st[=e]l), n. [See Stale a handle.]
   A stale, or handle; a stalk. [Obs.] --Chaucer. --Holland.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

stele
    n 1: the usually cylindrical central vascular portion of the
         axis of a vascular plant
    2: an ancient upright stone slab bearing markings [syn: stele,
       stela]