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

Billions of dollars were lost in stunts like those.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Their biggest franchise is Tom Cruise, who is 63 and does his own stunts.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It may foster corruption, dependency and stunt economic development.

Read more on Salon

Each word she says is stunted and punctuated, like she’s forcing herself to answer the question.

Read more on Literature

The actor, who famously performs his own stunts, has also been a fervent advocate for cinema as the streaming industry and social media compete for viewers' time and attention.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• antic 
• feat 
• sketch 
• skit