stunted

[ stuhn-tid ]
/ ˈstʌn tɪd /
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adjective

slowed or stopped abnormally in growth or development.

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DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
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decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
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Origin of stunted

First recorded in 1650–60; stunt1 + -ed2

OTHER WORDS FROM stunted

stunt·ed·ness, nounun·stunt·ed, adjective

Words nearby stunted

stunsail, stunt, stunt man, stunt person, stunt woman, stunted, stuntman, stupa, stupe, stupefacient, stupefaction

Definition for stunted (2 of 3)

stunt1
[ stuhnt ]
/ stʌnt /

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.

Origin of stunt

1
1575–85; v. use of dial. stunt dwarfed, stubborn (Middle English; Old English: stupid); cognate with Middle High German stunz, Old Norse stuttr short; akin to stint1

OTHER WORDS FROM stunt

stunt·ing·ly, adverbstunt·y, adjective

Definition for stunted (3 of 3)

stunt2
[ stuhnt ]
/ stʌnt /

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

2
An Americanism dating back to 1890–95; origin uncertain
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to stunted

short, scrub, dwarf, wee, shot, dwarfed, shrimp, bantam, diminutive, little, measly, mite, peanut, small, tiny, undersized, dwarfish, half-pint, peewee, runtish

Example sentences from the Web for stunted

British Dictionary definitions for stunted (1 of 2)

stunt1
/ (stʌnt) /

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, noun

Word 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 stunted (2 of 2)

stunt2
/ (stʌnt) /

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 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012