stunt
1
[ 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, adverb stunt·y, adjectiveWords nearby stunt
stung,
stunk,
stunner,
stunning,
stunsail,
stunt,
stunt man,
stunt person,
stunt woman,
stunted,
stuntman
Definition for stunts (2 of 2)
stunt
2
[ 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
Example sentences from the Web for stunts
British Dictionary definitions for stunts (1 of 2)
stunt
1
/ (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, adjective stuntedness, 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 stunts (2 of 2)
stunt
2
/ (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