haystack

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English haystak, haystake, hey stak, equivalent to hay +‎ stack. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈheɪˌstæk/ === Noun === haystack (plural haystacks) A mound, pile, or stack of stored hay. (canoeing) A standing wave in a rapid. (programming) The text string within which another string is searched for. (see: needle in a haystack) (more generally) Any place or collection of items through which one searches for something that is rare and hard to find. A dish composed of a starchy food (rice, tortillas, crackers, etc.) topped by a protein (beans, cheese, meat, etc.) in combination with fresh vegetables, assembled on the plate by the diner. ==== Synonyms ==== (pile of stored hay): hayrick, wynd ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ====