acrobat

[ak-ruh-bat]

noun

1. a skilled performer of gymnastic feats, as walking on a tightrope or swinging on a trapeze.

2. a person who readily changes viewpoints or opinions.

acrobat

/ ˈækrəˌbæt /

noun

1. an entertainer who performs acts that require skill, agility, and coordination, such as tumbling, swinging from a trapeze, or walking a tightrope

2. a person noted for his frequent and rapid changes of position or allegiances

   a political acrobat

Other Word Forms

• acrobatically adverb
• acrobatic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of acrobat¹

First recorded in 1815–25; from French acrobate, from Greek akróbatos “walking on tiptoe,” equivalent to akro- prefix meaning “height, extremity” + -batos, verbal adjective of baínein “to go”; the French word may be a recoinage, or an etymological reading of the Greek word; acro-

Word History and Origins

Origin of acrobat¹

C19: via French from Greek akrobatēs acrobat, one who walks on tiptoe, from _acro- + bat-, from bainein to walk

Related Words

• clown 
• dancer 
• gymnast 
• performer www.thesaurus.com
• tumbler