stumble etymology

Etymology:

The word "stumble" comes from the Middle English word "stomblen," which is thought to be derived from the Old English word "stumblian." The word "stumblian" is related to the Proto-Germanic root "*stumb-" (to stumble), which is also the source of the Old Norse word "stumbla" (to stumble).

Meaning:

  • To trip and lose one's balance
  • To make a mistake or blunder
  • To encounter an obstacle or difficulty
  • To be hesitant or uncertain

Origin:

The Proto-Germanic root "*stumb-" is believed to have originated from an Indo-European root meaning "to strike" or "to knock." This root is also found in other words such as "stump," "stammer," and "stubborn."

Usage:

The word "stumble" can be used in both a literal and figurative sense. It can describe a physical act of tripping or losing one's balance, as well as a metaphorical act of making an error or encountering an obstacle.

Examples:

  • The hiker stumbled over a rock on the trail.
  • The student stumbled over the answer to the test question.
  • The project stumbled upon unexpected technical difficulties.
  • The politician stumbled in his speech when he misquoted a statistic.

stumble relate terms

  • scandal

    Etymology The word scandal comes from the Latin word scandalum which means offense

  • scan

    Etymology The word scan comes from the Latin scandere which means to climb or to

  • slander

    Etymology The word slander is derived from the Old French term esclandre which means

  • stammer

    Etymology Middle English stammeren from Old English stamerian stamerian Origin Ger

  • stump

    Etymology The word stump has Germanic origins It derives from the Old English word st

  • fumble

    Etymology The word fumble is derived from the Middle English word fomblen which mean

  • trip

    Etymology The word trip has multiple etymological origins Old Norse treppa to ju

  • fail

    Etymology The word fail traces its origins back to the Latin verb fallere meaning

  • scandalize

  • lurch

    Etymology Late 18th century probably related to lurch a nautical term from the 16th c

  • falter

    Etymology The word falter comes from the Middle English word falteren which is of un