verb (used with object)
1.
to stop, slow down, or hinder the growth or development of; dwarf: A harsh climate stunted the trees.Brutal treatment in childhood stunted his personality.
noun
2.
a stop or hindrance in growth or development.
3.
arrested development.
4.
a plant or animal hindered from attaining its proper growth.
5.
Plant Pathology . a disease of plants, characterized by a dwarfing or stunting of the plant.
00:06
Stunt is one of our favorite verbs.
So is kibitz. Does it mean:
| to spend time idly; loaf. |
| chat, to converse |
Origin:
1575–85; v. use of dial. stunt dwarfed, stubborn ( Middle English; Old English: stupid); cognate withMiddle High German stunz, Old Norse stuttr short; akin to stint1
1575–85; v. use of dial. stunt dwarfed, stubborn ( Middle English; Old English: stupid); cognate withMiddle High German stunz, Old Norse stuttr short; akin to stint1
Related forms
stunt·ing·ly, adverb
stunt·y, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
noun
1.
a performance displaying a person's skill or dexterity, as in athletics; feat: an acrobatic stunt.
2.
any remarkable feat performed chiefly to attract attention: The kidnapping was said to be a publicitystunt.
verb (used without object)
3.
to do a stunt or stunts.
4.
Television Slang. to add specials, miniseries, etc., to a schedule of programs, especially so as toincrease ratings.
verb (used with object)
5.
to use in doing stunts: to stunt an airplane.
Origin:
1890–95, Americanism; origin uncertain
1890–95, Americanism; origin uncertain
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To stunt
Collins
World English Dictionary
stunt 1 (stʌnt) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sOyC0BukMCk06LKB3csmYIoGEWnsy1ZDoeSkURtD9CG52JWu2vN4Wm2wDMHItNpEaw9NC-k34ACEOGAYgyHeFhuOSS1I-fRAALNoR-A1IpesLbdFtmm8LeSV9Ia23WaSiDCR0KnH6BRwQ_aZMEAbY=s0-d) | |
| — vb | |
| 1. | ( tr ) to prevent or impede the growth or development of (a plant, animal, etc) |
| — n | |
| 2. | the act or an instance of stunting |
| 3. | a person, animal, or plant that has been stunted |
| [C17 (as vb: to check the growth of): perhaps from C15 stont of short duration, from Old English stunt simple, foolish; sense probably influenced by Old Norse stuttr short in stature, dwarfed] | |
| 'stunted 1 | |
| — adj | |
| 'stuntedness 1 | |
| — n | |
| stunt 2 (stʌnt) | |
| — n | |
| 1. | an acrobatic, dangerous, or spectacular action |
| 2. | an acrobatic or dangerous piece of action in a film or television programme |
| 3. | anything spectacular or unusual done to gain publicity |
| — vb | |
| 4. | ( intr ) to perform a stunt or stunts |
| [C19: US student slang, of unknown origin] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
stunt
"check in growth, dwarf," 1659, verb use of M.E. adj. stunnt "foolish," from O.E. stunt "short-witted,foolish" (cf. stuntspræc "foolish talk"), from P.Gmc. *stuntaz (cf. O.N. stuttr "short"), from the root ofstump.
