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stunt
1[ stuhnt ]
/ stÊnt /
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verb (used with object)
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
a stop or hindrance in growth or development.
arrested development.
a plant or animal hindered from attaining its proper growth.
Plant Pathology. a disease of plants, characterized by a dwarfing or stunting of the plant.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known asâŠ
Origin of stunt
1First recorded in 1575â85; verb use of dialect stunt âdwarfed, stubbornâ; cognate with Middle High German stunz, Old Norse stuttr âshortâ; akin to stint1
OTHER WORDS FROM stunt
stunt·ing·ly, adverbstunty, adjectiveWords nearby stunt
stunk, stunned, stunner, stunning, stunsail, stunt, stunted, stunt man, stunt person, stunt woman, stupa
Other definitions for stunt (2 of 2)
stunt2
[ stuhnt ]
/ stÊnt /
noun
a performance displaying a person's skill or dexterity, as in athletics; feat: an acrobatic stunt.
any remarkable feat performed chiefly to attract attention: The kidnapping was said to be a publicity stunt.
verb (used without object)
to do a stunt or stunts.
Television Slang. to add specials, miniseries, etc., to a schedule of programs, especially so as to increase ratings.
verb (used with object)
to use in doing stunts: to stunt an airplane.
Origin of stunt
2An Americanism dating back to 1890â95; origin uncertain; perhaps a variant of stump (in the sense âchallenge; dareâ)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use stunt in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for stunt (1 of 2)
stunt1
/ (stÊnt) /
verb
(tr) to prevent or impede the growth or development of (a plant, animal, etc)
noun
the act or an instance of stunting
a person, animal, or plant that has been stunted
Derived forms of stunt
stunted, adjectivestuntedness, nounWord Origin for stunt
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
British Dictionary definitions for stunt (2 of 2)
stunt2
/ (stÊnt) /
noun
an acrobatic, dangerous, or spectacular action
an acrobatic or dangerous piece of action in a film or television programme
anything spectacular or unusual done to gain publicity
verb
(intr) to perform a stunt or stunts
Word Origin for stunt
C19: US student slang, of unknown origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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