fumblev.

Brit.

/ˈfʌmbl/, U.S.

/ˈfəmb(ə)l/

Forms: Also 1500s fomble.

Etymology: Of obscure origin: equivalent forms exist in other Germanic languages; compare Dutch fommelen , Low German fummeln , fommeln , Swedish fumla , to fumble, grope; probably onomatopoeic; compare bumble , jumble , mumble , stumble , also famble n., fimble v. Possibly the formation of the word may have been in part suggested by the noun which appears as Old English folm(e , Old Saxon *folm (plural folmos , Old High German folma hand; compare Old Norse falma (Icelandic fálma ) to grope, with which Swedish famla , Danish famle (= famble v.) are commonly regarded as identical.

a. intransitive. To use one's hands or fingers awkwardly or ineffectually; to grope about. to fumble at: to make clumsy attempts at doing or handling (something). to fumble for or after: to make clumsy attempts to reach or grasp. Also to fumble about.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > touch and feeling > touching > touching with the hand > touch or feel with the hand [verb (intransitive)] > touch or handle awkwardly

fumble1534

shuffle1812

the world > action or operation > ability > inability > unskilfulness > do something unskilfully [verb (intransitive)] > act clumsily > use hands clumsily

fumble1534

faffle1869

1534 T. More Treat. Passion in Wks. 1293/1 The dyuel..should not be able to reache hys [Christe's] heade..but only to fumble about his foote.

1563 J. Foxe Actes & Monuments 1672/1 Shee desired him to loke in his testamente. Then he fombled and sought about hym for one.

1600 W. Shakespeare Henry V ii. iii. 13 For when I saw him fumble with the sheetes, And talk of floures..I knew there was no way but one.

1602 T. Dekker Satiro-mastix sig. F2^v What made these paire of Shittle-cockes heere? what doe they fumble for?

a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) II. 108 Those, that cannot play, delight to fumble on Instruments.

1739 ‘R. Bull’ tr. F. Dedekind Grobianus 251 He vainly fumbles at the fatal Door.

1768 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued II. i. 43 If you set a man with gloves on or a rustic whose hands are hard by labour to take off a single sheet, he will fumble about a long while.

1848 W. Irving Hist. N.Y. (rev. ed.) v. vi. 286 Seeing him lay down his pipe and begin to fumble with his walking-staff.

1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. 361 The soldiers were still fumbling with the muzzles of their guns..when the whole flood of Macleans, Macdonalds, and Camerons came down.

1859 C. Kingsley Misc. (1860) II. 139 He..fumbled for the bible in his boot.

1874 F. C. Burnand My Time xiv. 119 ‘Let me see’ said [he]..fumbling about in all his pockets.

b. transferred and figurative.

ΚΠ

1612 T. Taylor Αρχὴν Ἁπάντων: Comm. Epist. Paul to Titus iii. 5 He will be nibling and fumbling at all these as far as he dare.

1656 H. More Enthusiasmus Triumphatus (1662) 1 The foulness of his Mind makes him fumble very dotingly in the use thereof.

1678 R. Cudworth True Intellect. Syst. Universe i. v. 683 Our Mechanick or Atomick Theists, will have their Atoms, never so much as once to have Fumbled, in these their Fortuitous Motions.

1686 N. Cox Gentleman's Recreation (ed. 3) v. iv. 47 If he [horse] fumbles with his Corn, then give him no more at that time.

a1806 J. Barry in R. N. Wornum Lect. on Painting (1848) 223 Any artist..fumbling through three or four strata of colour before he can find them.

1870 M. D. Conway Earthward Pilgrimage xxiii. 267 Englishmen are still fumbling about Mount Sinai in the East.

c. ? quasi-transitive with complement.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > ability > inability > unskilfulness > be unskilled in [verb (transitive)] > handle clumsily > put, bring, etc., by fumbling

fumble1864

1864 J. R. Lowell Fireside Trav. 110 A hostler fumbled the door open.

1887 Punch 19 Mar. 143/2 Dizzy, then Premier, fumbled his eyeglass into position.

a. transitive. To handle awkwardly or with nervous clumsiness. Also with on, out, over.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > touch and feeling > touching > touching with the hand > touch or feel with the hand [verb (transitive)] > touch or handle awkwardly

pawa1450

thumb1593

fumble1609

thumble1614

to maum and gaum1738

the world > action or operation > ability > inability > unskilfulness > be unskilled in [verb (transitive)] > handle clumsily

fumble1609

niggle1828

1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida i. iii. 174 And with a palsie fumbling on his gorget, Shake in and out the riuet.

a1658 J. Cleveland To T. C. in Wks. (1687) 17 A Nut which when thou'st crack'd and fumbled o'er Thou'lt find the Squirrel has been there before.

1681 J. Dryden Spanish Fryar i. i. 3 Come puffing.. And fumbling o'er his Beads, in such an Agony, He told 'em false for fear.

1756 Connoisseur No. 134 (1774) IV. 228 The old women..fumbling over their tattered testaments till they have found the text.

1801 ‘Gabrielli’ Mysterious Husband I. 235 The fugitives..having fumbled out their bundles in the dark, first handed them to him.

1840 W. M. Thackeray Bedford-Row Conspir. i [He] came forward, looking very red, and fumbling two large kid gloves.

1894 G. A. Sala Things I have Seen II. xx. 254 The coin..I very soon tarnished by fumbling it..between my hot, moist little fingers.

figurative.1895 Westm. Gaz. 30 May 3/1 His incident must come to him naturally or he fumbles it.

b. spec. In games with a ball, to fumble the ball: to fail to take it ‘cleanly’; to stop or catch it clumsily.

c. to fumble one's way: to find it by groping.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > forward movement > move forward or advance [verb (intransitive)] > effect forward movement in specific way > tentatively or by feeling

to grope one's way1574

to feel (out) one's way1638

to fumble one's way1801

1801 ‘Gabrielli’ Mysterious Husband III. 80 She started up, and fumbled her way down the dark stairs.

1879 G. W. Cable Old Creole Days 13 Late that night a small square man..fumbled his way into the damp entrance.

3. To wrap up clumsily, huddle together. Also with up.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > wrapping > wrap [verb (transitive)] > in a clumsy or cumbersome way

fumble1575

bundle1893

1575 G. Gascoigne Fruites of Warre xci, in Posies sig. Iiii Constreynd to sit..Close in a corner fumbled vp for feare.

1594 W. Shakespeare Titus Andronicus iv. ii. 58 What dost thou wrap and fumble in thy armes?

1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida iv. v. 45 As many farewells as be starres in heauen. With distinct breath, and consignde kisses to them, He fumbles vp into a loose adewe.

1621 J. Molle tr. P. Camerarius Liuing Libr. iii. xiii. 189 They send them [their women] forth so couered, vailed, and fumbled up.

1647 T. Fuller Good Thoughts in Worse Times iv. xv. 170 So many, fumble this, last, & next Weekes devotion all in a prayer.

1681 J. Crowne Henry VI i. i. 3 'Pox o' these fumbling Robes! How came my Warlike Spirit wrapt in these Formalities, that hold my hands from Blood?

1830 Fraser's Mag. 1 342 The attenuated, sham, filagree work..wherewith Mr. Thomas Moore has thought fit to fumble up the personages of his ‘Lalla Rookh’.

4. slang. (Cf. fumbler n. b, fumbling adj. c.) Also absol. or intransitive.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > love > action of caressing > caress or fondle [verb] > grope awkwardly or ineffectually

fumble?1507

the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > other types of sexual activity or intercourse > engage in other types of sexual activity or intercourse [verb (transitive)] > other specific

fumble?1507

fumblec1690

lie back and think of England1969

the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > reproductive organ disorders > have disorder of reproductive organs [verb (intransitive)] > be impotent

fumblec1690

?1507 W. Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen (Rouen) in Poems (1998) I. 44 Ȝit leit I neuer that larbar..fummyll me without a fee gret.

c1690 Sat. on Lawyers in Collect. Poems 18 Old Maynard..Who mumbles all Day, and fumbles all Night.

1754 J. Shebbeare Marriage Act II. lxvi. 273 The old Man..rejoicing to see her return in good Humour, fumbled away the Night.

1762 O. Goldsmith Life R. Nash 180 Impotent posterity would in vain fumble to produce his fellow.

a. intransitive. To hesitate in speaking; to speak haltingly or indistinctly; to mumble, mutter.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > manner of speaking > speak in a particular manner [verb (intransitive)] > mutter or mumble

mamblea1275

mumblec1350

blabber1362

babblea1400

muttera1425

pattera1425

rumble1440

barbettec1480

murmell1546

palter?1548

buzz1555

fumble1563

drumble1579

to sup up1579

radote?1590

chunter1599

putter1611

mussitate1623

muss1661

muffle1669

slobber1692

thruma1774

fumfer1954

1563 2nd Tome Homelyes Agst. Gluttony, in J. Griffiths Two Bks. Homilies (1859) ii. 305 A drunkard..fumbleth and stammereth in his speech.

1591 Troublesome Raigne Iohn ii. sig. E3 He fumbleth in the mouth, His speech doth faile.

1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. (1609) xlii. xxvi. 1130 Being..found fumbling in their answere [L. haesitantibus in responso] they were commaunded to void out of the Counsel-chamber.

1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Beguayer, to famble, fumble, maffle in the mouth.

1647 J. Trapp Comm. Evangelists & Acts (Matt. xxvii. 38) His tongue did so fumble and falter in his head.

1705 C. Cibber Careless Husband i. i. 8 How sillily a Man fumbles for an Excuse, when he's a little ashamed of being in Love.

1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth viii, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. I. 223 Never lose time fumbling and prating about it.

b. transitive. To speak (words, etc.) indistinctly or hesitatingly. Also with out, up.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > manner of speaking > say in a particular manner [verb (transitive)] > mutter or mumble

muttera1425

mumblec1450

murmurc1460

blabber?a1513

palter?1548

fumble1555

flummer1563

chaw1570

buzz1583

mumpa1586

demurmurate1641

loll1655

muttera1690

swallowa1791

sough1821

hummera1860

lip1887

mum-mumble1917

potato-mouth1937

rhubarb1958

1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde i. ix. f. 46^v He fumbeleth certeyne confounded woordes with hym selfe.

1579 W. Fulke Heskins Parl. Repealed in D. Heskins Ouerthrowne 370 M. Heskins fombleth out the matter with a foolish caueat.

1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis iii. 54 I..With stutting stamering at leingth thus fumbled an aunswer.

1587 D. Fenner Def. Godlie Ministers sig. Ri^v He blameth vs for fumbling vp those things, whiche we answered distinctlie inough.

1602 J. Marston Antonios Reuenge iv. iii. sig. H3 She fumbled out, thanks good, and so she dide.

1750 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 11 Jan. (1932) (modernized text) IV. 1489 As soon as I had fumbled out this answer.

Compounds

Forming combinations, as fumble-fisted, fumble-footed adjs.

ΚΠ

1847 J. O. Halliwell Dict. Archaic & Provinc. Words I Fumble-fisted, very awkward in handling things. Suffolk.

1877 A. Sewell Black Beauty xxxi. 149 I don't know what is the matter with this horse, he goes very fumble-footed.

1926 A. B. Smith Stud. & Caprices 150 Music which even the most fumble-fisted can play with pleasure.

Derivatives

ˈfumbled adj.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > touch and feeling > touching > touching with the hand > [adjective] > touching or handling awkwardly > touched or handled awkwardly

fumbled1884

1884 F. D. Millet in Harper's Mag. Dec. 134/1 The newspapers grew sticky, fumbled, and worn at the hands of the frequent readers.

ˈfumble n. a piece of fumbling, a bungling attempt at something; spec. in ball games, a clumsy handling of the ball; †also, confused utterance, mumbling.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > manner of speaking > [noun] > murmuring or muttering

blabberingc1375

mammeringa1425

mumblingc1440

mumming1440

rumbling1440

mutteringc1475

buzzing1532

momblishness1532

hummel-bummel1537

murmuration1541

mumblement1595

babblinga1599

hummering1637

mutter1637

fumble1647

murmur1704

admurmuration1727

slurring1806

the world > action or operation > ability > inability > unskilfulness > [noun] > unskilful action or working > bungling attempt

fumblec1831

boss-shot1890

boss1898

society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > [noun] > manner of playing ball

bata1400

back-swing1577

banding1589

stroke1662

stop1773

swipe1788

straik1820

screwing1825

return1833

volleying1837

return stroke1838

volley1851

swiper1853

shot1868

handling1870

screw kick1870

mishit1882

smash1882

misfield1886

fumble1895

run-up1897

mishitting1900

balloon1904

carryback1905

placement1909

tonk1922

trick shot1924

retrieve1952

sizzler1960

undercut1960

shotmaking1969

1647 N. Ward Simple Cobler Aggawam 74 The world's a well strung fidle, mans tongue the quill, That fills the world with fumble for want of skill.

c1831 J. Wilson in Lang Life & Lett. Lockhart (1897) II. 109 He [Wilson] called Lockhart's remarks ‘a feeble fumble of falsehood’.

1895 Daily Chron. 17 Jan. 6/4 At the first fumble of a Surrey back, Maturin rushed round.

Draft additions December 2016

transitive. In American football and Canadian football: to drop or lose control of (the ball), while in possession of it. Also intransitive.

ΚΠ

1882 N.Y. Times 19 Nov. 2/1 Here Coolidge fumbled the ball, and Haxall, of Princeton, rushed it behind the line and got a touch-down.

1891 Lafayette 20 Nov. 76/2 Ordway fumbles, and Voight falls on the ball.

1914 St. Nicholas Mag. Oct. 1119/1 Not once did Princeton kick, not once did Princeton fumble, and not once did Princeton score.

1958 Washington Post 30 Nov. c1/4 Colorado halfback Howard Cook fumbled a punt runback on the Air Force 40 in the third period.

1989 L. Holtz & J. Heisler Fighting Spirit (1990) x.123 Watters fumbled a Michigan punt.

2015 Calgary (Alberta) Herald (Nexis) 23 Nov. c1 On his first punt return of the afternoon, Skye Dawson..fumbled the ball on the Calgary 23.

Draft additions December 2016

In American football and Canadian football: an act of dropping or losing the ball, while in possession of it.

ΚΠ

1880 N.Y. Times 26 Nov. 2/5 Winton made an excellent throw to Harlan, who slipped and made a bad ‘fumble’.

1914 St. Nicholas Mag. Oct. 1119/1 Upon the next play, a fumble gave the ball to Yale, but the latter immediately returned it to Princeton by a kick.

1940 Amer. Boy Feb. 6/3 He blocked ten punts, recovered many fumbles, and picked up much yardage receiving forward passes.

1978 Globe & Mail (Nexis) 23 June He earned two sacks and forced a fumble that Corrigall recovered.

2005 Chicago Tribune (Midwest ed.) 19 Sept. vii. 7/5 Bennett was benched after his two first-half fumbles and dropped pass.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

单词	fumble
释义	fumblev. Brit. /ˈfʌmbl/, U.S. /ˈfəmb(ə)l/ Forms: Also 1500s fomble. Etymology: Of obscure origin: equivalent forms exist in other Germanic languages; compare Dutch fommelen , Low German fummeln , fommeln , Swedish fumla , to fumble, grope; probably onomatopoeic; compare bumble , jumble , mumble , stumble , also famble n., fimble v. Possibly the formation of the word may have been in part suggested by the noun which appears as Old English folm(e , Old Saxon folm (plural folmos* , Old High German folma hand; compare Old Norse falma (Icelandic fálma ) to grope, with which Swedish famla , Danish famle (= famble v.) are commonly regarded as identical. 1. a. intransitive. To use one's hands or fingers awkwardly or ineffectually; to grope about. to fumble at: to make clumsy attempts at doing or handling (something). to fumble for or after: to make clumsy attempts to reach or grasp. Also to fumble about. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > touch and feeling > touching > touching with the hand > touch or feel with the hand [verb (intransitive)] > touch or handle awkwardly fumble1534 shuffle1812 the world > action or operation > ability > inability > unskilfulness > do something unskilfully [verb (intransitive)] > act clumsily > use hands clumsily fumble1534 faffle1869 1534 T. More Treat. Passion in Wks. 1293/1 The dyuel..should not be able to reache hys [Christe's] heade..but only to fumble about his foote. 1563 J. Foxe Actes & Monuments 1672/1 Shee desired him to loke in his testamente. Then he fombled and sought about hym for one. 1600 W. Shakespeare Henry V ii. iii. 13 For when I saw him fumble with the sheetes, And talk of floures..I knew there was no way but one. 1602 T. Dekker Satiro-mastix sig. F2^v What made these paire of Shittle-cockes heere? what doe they fumble for? a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) II. 108 Those, that cannot play, delight to fumble on Instruments. 1739 ‘R. Bull’ tr. F. Dedekind Grobianus 251 He vainly fumbles at the fatal Door. 1768 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued II. i. 43 If you set a man with gloves on or a rustic whose hands are hard by labour to take off a single sheet, he will fumble about a long while. 1848 W. Irving Hist. N.Y. (rev. ed.) v. vi. 286 Seeing him lay down his pipe and begin to fumble with his walking-staff. 1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. 361 The soldiers were still fumbling with the muzzles of their guns..when the whole flood of Macleans, Macdonalds, and Camerons came down. 1859 C. Kingsley Misc. (1860) II. 139 He..fumbled for the bible in his boot. 1874 F. C. Burnand My Time xiv. 119 ‘Let me see’ said [he]..fumbling about in all his pockets. b. transferred and figurative. ΚΠ 1612 T. Taylor Αρχὴν Ἁπάντων: Comm. Epist. Paul to Titus iii. 5 He will be nibling and fumbling at all these as far as he dare. 1656 H. More Enthusiasmus Triumphatus (1662) 1 The foulness of his Mind makes him fumble very dotingly in the use thereof. 1678 R. Cudworth True Intellect. Syst. Universe i. v. 683 Our Mechanick or Atomick Theists, will have their Atoms, never so much as once to have Fumbled, in these their Fortuitous Motions. 1686 N. Cox Gentleman's Recreation (ed. 3) v. iv. 47 If he [horse] fumbles with his Corn, then give him no more at that time. a1806 J. Barry in R. N. Wornum Lect. on Painting (1848) 223 Any artist..fumbling through three or four strata of colour before he can find them. 1870 M. D. Conway Earthward Pilgrimage xxiii. 267 Englishmen are still fumbling about Mount Sinai in the East. c. ? quasi-transitive with complement. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > ability > inability > unskilfulness > be unskilled in [verb (transitive)] > handle clumsily > put, bring, etc., by fumbling fumble1864 1864 J. R. Lowell Fireside Trav. 110 A hostler fumbled the door open. 1887 Punch 19 Mar. 143/2 Dizzy, then Premier, fumbled his eyeglass into position. 2. a. transitive. To handle awkwardly or with nervous clumsiness. Also with on, out, over. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > touch and feeling > touching > touching with the hand > touch or feel with the hand [verb (transitive)] > touch or handle awkwardly pawa1450 thumb1593 fumble1609 thumble1614 to maum and gaum1738 the world > action or operation > ability > inability > unskilfulness > be unskilled in [verb (transitive)] > handle clumsily fumble1609 niggle1828 1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida i. iii. 174 And with a palsie fumbling on his gorget, Shake in and out the riuet. View more context for this quotation a1658 J. Cleveland To T. C. in Wks. (1687) 17 A Nut which when thou'st crack'd and fumbled o'er Thou'lt find the Squirrel has been there before. 1681 J. Dryden Spanish Fryar i. i. 3 Come puffing.. And fumbling o'er his Beads, in such an Agony, He told 'em false for fear. 1756 Connoisseur No. 134 (1774) IV. 228 The old women..fumbling over their tattered testaments till they have found the text. 1801 ‘Gabrielli’ Mysterious Husband I. 235 The fugitives..having fumbled out their bundles in the dark, first handed them to him. 1840 W. M. Thackeray Bedford-Row Conspir. i [He] came forward, looking very red, and fumbling two large kid gloves. 1894 G. A. Sala Things I have Seen II. xx. 254 The coin..I very soon tarnished by fumbling it..between my hot, moist little fingers. figurative.1895 Westm. Gaz. 30 May 3/1 His incident must come to him naturally or he fumbles it. b. spec. In games with a ball, to fumble the ball: to fail to take it ‘cleanly’; to stop or catch it clumsily. c. to fumble one's way: to find it by groping. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > forward movement > move forward or advance [verb (intransitive)] > effect forward movement in specific way > tentatively or by feeling to grope one's way1574 to feel (out) one's way1638 to fumble one's way1801 1801 ‘Gabrielli’ Mysterious Husband III. 80 She started up, and fumbled her way down the dark stairs. 1879 G. W. Cable Old Creole Days 13 Late that night a small square man..fumbled his way into the damp entrance. 3. To wrap up clumsily, huddle together. Also with up. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > wrapping > wrap [verb (transitive)] > in a clumsy or cumbersome way fumble1575 bundle1893 1575 G. Gascoigne Fruites of Warre xci, in Posies sig. Iiii Constreynd to sit..Close in a corner fumbled vp for feare. 1594 W. Shakespeare Titus Andronicus iv. ii. 58 What dost thou wrap and fumble in thy armes? View more context for this quotation 1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida iv. v. 45 As many farewells as be starres in heauen. With distinct breath, and consignde kisses to them, He fumbles vp into a loose adewe. 1621 J. Molle tr. P. Camerarius Liuing Libr. iii. xiii. 189 They send them [their women] forth so couered, vailed, and fumbled up. 1647 T. Fuller Good Thoughts in Worse Times iv. xv. 170 So many, fumble this, last, & next Weekes devotion all in a prayer. 1681 J. Crowne Henry VI i. i. 3 'Pox o' these fumbling Robes! How came my Warlike Spirit wrapt in these Formalities, that hold my hands from Blood? 1830 Fraser's Mag. 1 342 The attenuated, sham, filagree work..wherewith Mr. Thomas Moore has thought fit to fumble up the personages of his ‘Lalla Rookh’. 4. slang. (Cf. fumbler n. b, fumbling adj. c.) Also absol. or intransitive. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > love > action of caressing > caress or fondle [verb] > grope awkwardly or ineffectually fumble?1507 the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > other types of sexual activity or intercourse > engage in other types of sexual activity or intercourse [verb (transitive)] > other specific fumble?1507 the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > other types of sexual activity or intercourse > engage in other types of sexual activity or intercourse [verb (intransitive)] > other specific fumblec1690 lie back and think of England1969 the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > reproductive organ disorders > have disorder of reproductive organs [verb (intransitive)] > be impotent fumblec1690 ?1507 W. Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen (Rouen) in Poems (1998) I. 44 Ȝit leit I neuer that larbar..fummyll me without a fee gret. c1690 Sat. on Lawyers in Collect. Poems 18 Old Maynard..Who mumbles all Day, and fumbles all Night. 1754 J. Shebbeare Marriage Act II. lxvi. 273 The old Man..rejoicing to see her return in good Humour, fumbled away the Night. 1762 O. Goldsmith Life R. Nash 180 Impotent posterity would in vain fumble to produce his fellow. 5. a. intransitive. To hesitate in speaking; to speak haltingly or indistinctly; to mumble, mutter. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > manner of speaking > speak in a particular manner [verb (intransitive)] > mutter or mumble mamblea1275 mumblec1350 blabber1362 babblea1400 muttera1425 pattera1425 rumble1440 barbettec1480 murmell1546 palter?1548 buzz1555 fumble1563 drumble1579 to sup up1579 radote?1590 chunter1599 putter1611 mussitate1623 muss1661 muffle1669 slobber1692 thruma1774 fumfer1954 1563 2nd Tome Homelyes Agst. Gluttony, in J. Griffiths Two Bks. Homilies (1859) ii. 305 A drunkard..fumbleth and stammereth in his speech. 1591 Troublesome Raigne Iohn ii. sig. E3 He fumbleth in the mouth, His speech doth faile. 1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. (1609) xlii. xxvi. 1130 Being..found fumbling in their answere [L. haesitantibus in responso] they were commaunded to void out of the Counsel-chamber. 1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Beguayer, to famble, fumble, maffle in the mouth. 1647 J. Trapp Comm. Evangelists & Acts (Matt. xxvii. 38) His tongue did so fumble and falter in his head. 1705 C. Cibber Careless Husband i. i. 8 How sillily a Man fumbles for an Excuse, when he's a little ashamed of being in Love. 1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth viii, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. I. 223 Never lose time fumbling and prating about it. b. transitive. To speak (words, etc.) indistinctly or hesitatingly. Also with out, up. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > manner of speaking > say in a particular manner [verb (transitive)] > mutter or mumble muttera1425 mumblec1450 murmurc1460 blabber?a1513 palter?1548 fumble1555 flummer1563 chaw1570 buzz1583 mumpa1586 demurmurate1641 loll1655 muttera1690 swallowa1791 sough1821 hummera1860 lip1887 mum-mumble1917 potato-mouth1937 rhubarb1958 1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde i. ix. f. 46^v He fumbeleth certeyne confounded woordes with hym selfe. 1579 W. Fulke Heskins Parl. Repealed in D. Heskins Ouerthrowne 370 M. Heskins fombleth out the matter with a foolish caueat. 1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis iii. 54 I..With stutting stamering at leingth thus fumbled an aunswer. 1587 D. Fenner Def. Godlie Ministers sig. Ri^v He blameth vs for fumbling vp those things, whiche we answered distinctlie inough. 1602 J. Marston Antonios Reuenge iv. iii. sig. H3 She fumbled out, thanks good, and so she dide. 1750 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 11 Jan. (1932) (modernized text) IV. 1489 As soon as I had fumbled out this answer. Compounds Forming combinations, as fumble-fisted, fumble-footed adjs. ΚΠ 1847 J. O. Halliwell Dict. Archaic & Provinc. Words I Fumble-fisted, very awkward in handling things. Suffolk. 1877 A. Sewell Black Beauty xxxi. 149 I don't know what is the matter with this horse, he goes very fumble-footed. 1926 A. B. Smith Stud. & Caprices 150 Music which even the most fumble-fisted can play with pleasure. Derivatives ˈfumbled adj. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > touch and feeling > touching > touching with the hand > [adjective] > touching or handling awkwardly > touched or handled awkwardly fumbled1884 1884 F. D. Millet in Harper's Mag. Dec. 134/1 The newspapers grew sticky, fumbled, and worn at the hands of the frequent readers. ˈfumble n. a piece of fumbling, a bungling attempt at something; spec. in ball games, a clumsy handling of the ball; †also, confused utterance, mumbling. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > manner of speaking > [noun] > murmuring or muttering blabberingc1375 mammeringa1425 mumblingc1440 mumming1440 rumbling1440 mutteringc1475 buzzing1532 momblishness1532 hummel-bummel1537 murmuration1541 mumblement1595 babblinga1599 hummering1637 mutter1637 fumble1647 murmur1704 admurmuration1727 slurring1806 the world > action or operation > ability > inability > unskilfulness > [noun] > unskilful action or working > bungling attempt fumblec1831 boss-shot1890 boss1898 society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > [noun] > manner of playing ball bata1400 back-swing1577 banding1589 stroke1662 stop1773 swipe1788 hit1810 straik1820 screwing1825 return1833 volleying1837 return stroke1838 volley1851 swiper1853 shot1868 handling1870 screw kick1870 mishit1882 smash1882 misfield1886 fumble1895 run-up1897 mishitting1900 balloon1904 carryback1905 placement1909 tonk1922 trick shot1924 retrieve1952 sizzler1960 undercut1960 shotmaking1969 1647 N. Ward Simple Cobler Aggawam 74 The world's a well strung fidle, mans tongue the quill, That fills the world with fumble for want of skill. c1831 J. Wilson in Lang Life & Lett. Lockhart (1897) II. 109 He [Wilson] called Lockhart's remarks ‘a feeble fumble of falsehood’. 1895 Daily Chron. 17 Jan. 6/4 At the first fumble of a Surrey back, Maturin rushed round. Draft additions December 2016 transitive. In American football and Canadian football: to drop or lose control of (the ball), while in possession of it. Also intransitive. ΚΠ 1882 N.Y. Times 19 Nov. 2/1 Here Coolidge fumbled the ball, and Haxall, of Princeton, rushed it behind the line and got a touch-down. 1891 Lafayette 20 Nov. 76/2 Ordway fumbles, and Voight falls on the ball. 1914 St. Nicholas Mag. Oct. 1119/1 Not once did Princeton kick, not once did Princeton fumble, and not once did Princeton score. 1958 Washington Post 30 Nov. c1/4 Colorado halfback Howard Cook fumbled a punt runback on the Air Force 40 in the third period. 1989 L. Holtz & J. Heisler Fighting Spirit (1990) x.123 Watters fumbled a Michigan punt. 2015 Calgary (Alberta) Herald (Nexis) 23 Nov. c1 On his first punt return of the afternoon, Skye Dawson..fumbled the ball on the Calgary 23. Draft additions December 2016 In American football and Canadian football: an act of dropping or losing the ball, while in possession of it. ΚΠ 1880 N.Y. Times 26 Nov. 2/5 Winton made an excellent throw to Harlan, who slipped and made a bad ‘fumble’. 1914 St. Nicholas Mag. Oct. 1119/1 Upon the next play, a fumble gave the ball to Yale, but the latter immediately returned it to Princeton by a kick. 1940 Amer. Boy Feb. 6/3 He blocked ten punts, recovered many fumbles, and picked up much yardage receiving forward passes. 1978 Globe & Mail (Nexis) 23 June He earned two sacks and forced a fumble that Corrigall recovered. 2005 Chicago Tribune (Midwest ed.) 19 Sept. vii. 7/5 Bennett was benched after his two first-half fumbles and dropped pass. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < v.?1507
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