stunt

¹

[stuhnt]

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

1. a stop or hindrance in growth or development.

2. arrested development.

3. a plant or animal hindered from attaining its proper growth.

4. Plant Pathology.,  a disease of plants, characterized by a dwarfing or stunting of the plant.

stunt

²

[stuhnt]

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 publicity stunt.

verb (used without object)

1. to do a stunt or stunts.

2. Television Slang.,  to add specials, miniseries, etc., to a schedule of programs, especially so as to increase ratings.

verb (used with object)

1. to use in doing stunts.

   to stunt an airplane.

stunt

¹

/ stʌnt /

noun

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

verb

1. (intr) to perform a stunt or stunts

stunt

²

/ stʌnt /

verb

1. (tr) to prevent or impede the growth or development of (a plant, animal, etc)

noun

1. the act or an instance of stunting

2. a person, animal, or plant that has been stunted

Other Word Forms

• stuntingly adverb
• stunty adjective
• stunted adjective
• stuntedness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of stunt¹

First recorded in 1575–85; verb use of dialect stunt “dwarfed, stubborn”; cognate with Middle High German stunz, Old Norse stuttr “short”; akin to stint ¹

Origin of stunt²

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95; origin uncertain; perhaps a variant of stump ( def. ) (in the sense “challenge; dare”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of stunt¹

C19: US student slang, of unknown origin

Origin of stunt²

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

Example Sentences

But Badenoch dismissed the announcement of the defections as "a stunt".

From BBC

Israeli authorities said they enforced a legal blockade and called the flotilla a "publicity stunt" because it was transporting only two tons of aid in total.

From BBC

These so-called "car meets" usually result in forms of dangerous illegal driving such as stunts and speed trials, and often spill out on to surrounding roads, locals say.

From BBC

"Did they pull it down in one day for a PR stunt while children are still being attacked?"

From BBC

Israel dismissed the flotilla as a publicity stunt.

From BBC

Related Words

• antic 
• feat 
• sketch 
• skit