staggeringn.
/ˈstaɡərɪŋ/ 1. In intransitive senses of stagger v.† b. Stammering, faltering in speech. Obsolete. rare.
a. Reeling, tottering, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > irregular movement or agitation > unsteady movement > [noun] > reeling or staggering
waggeringa1382
stackeringc1440
staggering1530
reeling1612
the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > [noun] > manner of walking > unsteady
staggering1530
(to have) the staggers1599
stammering1607
lurch1819
lurching1852
dottiness1875
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 275/1 Stageryng or leanyng of an house, bransle.
1566 T. Blundeville Order curing Horses Dis. f. 16, in Fower Offices Horsemanshippe Dymnesse of sight, the reeling and staggering of the horse.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) iii. iii. 11 And (without any pause, or staggering) take this basket on your shoulders. View more context for this quotation
1628 Ld. Carleton in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1824) 1st Ser. III. 256 In his staggering he turn'd about, uttering onely this word ‘Villaine’!
1732 J. Arbuthnot Pract. Rules of Diet iii. 364 The immediate Forerunners of an Apoplexy are commonly a Vertigo, Staggering, Loss of Memory [etc.].
1867 J. Ruskin Time & Tide ix. 49 The howlings and staggerings of men..in intoxication.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > defective or inarticulate speech > [noun] > stammer or stammering
stammering1357
wlafferinga1387
mammeringa1425
stuttingc1430
stackeringc1440
stotingc1440
tattling1481
staggering1565
manting1568
maffling1577
stuttering1595
buffing1600
stammeringness1637
titubation1641
balbuties1655
traulism1678
hesitation1709
hammering1731
hobbling1753
stammer1773
mant1801
stutter1843
Hottentotism1871
hesitatingness1890
1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus Volubilitas linguæ, round or quicke speakyng, without impediment or staggerynge.
1575 R. B. Apius & Virginia C iv And angerly to me (quoth he) wher hast thou ben walking. Without any staggeryng, I had ready my lye.
1598 R. Grenewey tr. Tacitus Annales iv. vii. 99 Tiberius..cunningly premeditating his words, and with staggering and stammering deliuering his minde.
c. figurative. Wavering, vacillating; †a state of wavering or uncertainty.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > [noun]
yea-and-nayc1384
vacillationc1400
titteringa1413
stackeringc1440
wondingc1440
fluctuationc1450
waver1519
mammering1532
uncertainty1548
wavering1548
to and fro1553
suspense1560
staggering1565
suspension1568
mammery1578
demur1581
branle1591
dilly-dally1592
hesitance1601
irresolution1601
uncertainness1601
undecision1611
waveringness1614
hesitancy1617
unsettledness1619
hesitation1622
unresolvednessa1626
doubleness of minda1628
wavinga1628
swagging1636
poise1637
mambling1640
stickagea1647
vacillancy1668
whifflinga1677
hovering1679
unresolve1679
irresoluteness1686
shilly-shally1755
indecisiona1763
undecisiveness1779
indecisiveness1793
oscillation1798
flexility1815
shilly-shallying1842
swaying1850
Hamletism1852
teeter1855
havering1866
off and on1875
dilly-dallying1879
double-mindedness1881
hesitatingness1890
dither1958
1565 J. Jewel tr. St. Augustine in Replie Hardinges Answeare vii. 374 I thinke it best..they be abolished, and put away without scruple, or staggeringe.
a1575 N. Harpsfield Treat. Divorce Henry VIII (1878) (modernized text) 235 Mr. Rowland.., being in a great dump and staggering, came to the King.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 96 If the mists of raine or sand, do neuer so much obscure the way from the rider, yet doeth shee remember the same without all staggering.
1681 J. Flavell Method of Grace vii. 140 I have many staggerings and doubtings about the certainty and reality of these things.
1757 E. Burke Philos. Enq. Sublime & Beautiful ii. §18. 65 In this staggering, and hurry of the mind.
1874 T. Taylor Leicester Sq. ii. 35 [He] complains of the staggering and irresolution of his nature.
2. In transitive senses.
a. Causing to totter or waver; unsettling.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > [noun] > act or process of unsettling (opinion, etc.)
unsettlement1648
staggeringa1661
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > danger > [noun] > insecurity > precariousness
ticklenessc1390
kittleness1578
ticklishness1583
touchiness1649
staggeringa1661
precariousness1666
criticalness1794
precarity1910
a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) i. 51 The same Name hath been so often disguised unto the Staggering of many, who have mistook them for different.
1668 J. Owen Nature Indwelling-sin xvi. 277 The Power that the Holy Ghost puts forth by the Word, in the staggering and conviction of sinners.
1686 F. Spence tr. A. Varillas Ἀνεκδοτα Ἑτερουιακα 26 The only persons from whom he need fear a second staggering of his fortune.
b. See stagger v. 9a. Comb. staggering-tool.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > quality of having sides or being a side > [noun] > fact of having distinct sides > one or other side or hand > part lying to either hand > positioning alternately
staggering1905
1905 J. Horner Tools for Engineers & Woodworkers 73 The staggering of teeth is variously done.
1905 Athenæum 26 Aug. 280/1 His [sc. J. Horner's] section on chisels..leads us..to the Fox~trimmer,..and other shearing and staggering tools.
c. See stagger v. 9b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > simultaneity or contemporaneousness > [noun] > non-correspondence in time > staggering
staggering1955
1955 Times 19 May 7/3 Difficulties had arisen by all the pool mail being received in the same week and as a result ‘staggering arrangements’ were made to spread the traffic.
1959 Ann. Reg. 1958 507 He undertook to consider whether the staggering of hours should be made compulsory.
1971 Timber Trades Jrnl. 14 Aug. 53/1 The reduction in productivity..due to the staggering of holidays.
1979 Daily Tel. 15 Dec. 2/3 The inquest had been told that the staggering procedure under which the 32 [parachute] troops left opposite doors of their Hercules had gone out of synchronisation.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1915; most recently modified version published online June 2020).
staggeringadj.
1. That staggers, in intransitive senses of the verb.† c. Characterized by staggering. Obsolete. rare.
a. literal. Reeling, tottering, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > irregular movement or agitation > unsteady movement > [adjective] > reeling or staggering
stackeringa1561
staggering1575
wavelling1637
reeling1697
stoiteringa1774
the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > [adjective] > having specific manner of walking > unsteady
staggering1575
tottering1801
shauchly1830
staggery1836
dotty1870
lurching1884
1575 G. Gascoigne Flowers in Posies (1907) 43 My stagring steppes eke tell the trueth, that nature fadeth fast.
1614 A. Gorges tr. Lucan Pharsalia ii. 73 Not trusting to his staggering troopes.
1684 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress 2nd Pt. Authors Way sig. A4 For Young, for Old, for Stagg'ring, and for Stable. View more context for this quotation
1797 J. Downing Treat. Disorders Horned Cattle 11 This giddiness and swimming in the head..gives a wavering and staggering motion of the body.
1818 P. B. Shelley tr. Homer To Castor & Pollux 16 The staggering ship.
1839 W. M. Thackeray Fatal Boots vi We heard a heavy staggering step on the flags.
1895 W. C. Scully Kafir Stories 118 A disorganised mob of staggering men.
b. transferred and figurative. In early use often, †Hesitating, undecided.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > [adjective]
twiredec888
orrathc1175
twofoldc1175
twifoldc1200
waveringc1315
uncertain1382
suspensec1440
mammeringa1450
flowing?1504
floghtering1521
vacillant1521
in a mammering1532
double-minded1552
unstaid1561
unresolute1570
unresolved?1571
staggeringa1577
frittle1579
irresolute1579
cheverel1583
off and on1583
halting1585
unsettleda1593
unresolving1599
demurring1607
waving1611
suspensive1614
hoveringa1616
startling1619
irresolved1621
hesitating1622
indetermined1628
variousa1643
branling1645
hesitant1647
non-sincere1656
hesitatious1657
humdrum1660
shuttlecock1660
yea-and-nay1672
swaying1688
interpendent1708
undetermined1718
Squadronec1720
hesitatorya1734
volanta1734
shilly-shally1734
dilly-dally1749
niffy-naffy1765
wiggle-waggle1778
undecided1779
undecisive1780
indecisive1787
conflicted1789
hesitative1795
undeciding1802
vacillating1814
yea-nay1827
demurrant1836
willy-nilly1839
shilly-shallying1842
oscillative1852
Hamletish1854
vacillatory1854
dilly-dallying1879
thistledown1897
weak-principled1913
not-quite1920
off-again on-again1923
dithery1931
havering1975
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > state of uncertainty, suspense > [adjective]
suspensec1440
suspensed1526
on hovec1540
ambiguous1550
staggeringa1577
suspended1576
in suspense1583
halting1585
suspensory1611
suspensive1614
(to stand or sit) on or upon the fence1828
society > communication > writing > handwriting or style of > [adjective] > tremulous
staggering1838
shaky1847
wobbly1867
a1577 G. Gascoigne Princelie Pleasures Kenelworth sig. B.vijv, in Whole Wks. (1587) To prop vp so thy stagring mind, Which in these sorrowes slides.
1597 J. Payne Royall Exchange 18 These new Saduces wth there staggeringe disciples.
1614 W. Alexander Doomes-day i. lxxxv. sig. C3v A staggering Courage Fortunes fall succeeds.
a1633 Visct. Falkland Hist. Edward II (1680) 14 Their staggering irresolution.
1654 E. Nicholas Papers (1892) II. 128 Our frends are very staggering till remedy in this point confirme them.
1678 R. Cudworth True Intellect. Syst. Universe i. v. 745 St. Austine himself, is sometimes Staggering in this Point.
1741 S. Richardson Pamela IV. xiv. 95 The staggering Doubts and Distress of Hermione, after she had ingaged Orestes in the Murder of Pyrrhus.
1838 J. G. Lockhart Mem. Life Scott VII. lxxix. 235 Except the staggering penmanship,..there was scarcely any thing to indicate decayed vigour.
1867 S. Smiles Huguenots Eng. & Ireland iv. 91 The sack of Antwerp..gave the last blow to the staggering industry of that great city.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > irregular movement or agitation > unsteady movement > [adjective] > reeling or staggering > characterized by
staggering1573
1573 G. Harvey Let.-bk. (1884) 29 A kind of palsi..or sum the like quivering and staggering diseases.
d. staggering bob n. dialect (see quots.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > animals for food > beef > [noun] > veal
calf-flesha1300
vealc1386
bevissa1722
staggering bob1780
bob-veal1855
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > group Ruminantia (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) > calf > [noun] > for slaughter
veal1422
veal calf?1556
staggering bob1780
stocker1881
killer1897
vealer1901
bobby calf1927
1780 A. Young Tour Ireland i. 377 Vast numbers of calves are killed at two or three days old for an execrable veal they call staggering bob, I suppose from the animal not being old enough to stand steady on its legs.
1818 R. Wilbraham Attempt Gloss. Cheshire Staggering Bob, or Yellow Slippers, names given by butchers to very young calves.
1922 J. Joyce Ulysses ii. xiv. [Oxen of the Sun] 399 Staggering bob in the vile parlance of our lower class licensed victuallers signifies the cookable and eatable flesh of a calf newly dropped from its mother.
1966 W. S. Ramson Austral. Eng. iv. 70 Staggering bob, a widespread dialect phrase used either of a very young calf which has not yet found its legs or of the veal from such a calf.
2. In transitive senses: Causing to reel or totter; confounding, perplexing; hence in trivial use: amazing, astounding; enormous.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > irregular movement or agitation > unsteady movement > [adjective] > reeling or staggering > causing
staggering?1566
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > perplexity, bewilderment > act of perplexing > [adjective]
maskinga1387
maskeringc1400
mazingc1449
mazefula1586
perplexing1585
distraughtful1594
confounding1595
confusive1611
perplexful1618
distracting1632
distractive1633
perplexivea1637
obstupefying1660
perplexitivea1665
posing1666
distractious1667
nonplussing1670
umbraging1683
gravelling1686
embarrassing1691
wildering1742
distractful1746
staggering1769
baffling1783
bewildering1792
head-scratching1827
mystifyingc1827
mystificatory1830
riddlesome1843
confusing1846
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > feeling of wonder, astonishment > quality of inspiring wonder > [adjective]
wonderlyc893
wonderfula1100
wondera1175
wondersa1300
marvellousc1330
marvela1400
marvelly?a1400
mirablec1429
admirablec1450
marvellablec1450
mirific1490
wondrous1509
extonious1548
portentious1549
miraculous1569
geason1572
mirificalc1572
astounding1590
amazing1593
wonderedc1595
admiring1598
prodigious1600
astonishable1603
fabulous1609
wondered-at?1611
necromantic1627
stupendous1640
nigromantic1645
mirandous1652
surprising1665
mirabundous1694
astonishinga1704
wondersome1774
sublime1813
nasty1834
kill-me-quite1842
breathtaking1843
breath-catching1865
miracle-working1867
mouth opening1867
stupefying1870
gee whiz1889
scorching1890
doozy1903
sensational1909
eye-popping1918
wunnerful1924
crashing1931
staggering1934
eyewatering1950
mind-boggling1955
Ozymandian1961
knock-out1966
mind-blowing1966
motherfucking1973
boggling1975
gobsmacking1981
tubular1982
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adjective] > vast, immense, or huge > and amazing
ferlya1400
wonderfulc1540
stupendiousa1549
portentous1553
stupenduous1610
stupendous1618
stupend1621
tremendous1813
awesome1838
devastating1889
dizzy1896
doozy1903
staggering1934
eyewatering1950
zonking great1958
stonking1980
?1566 J. Phillip Commodye Pacient & Meeke Grissill sig. B.iv The wandring Bucke by staggring strocke, of launch from blody boe and nimble course of silly houndes, hath caught the ouer throe.
1769 E. Burke Let. 9 July in Corr. (1960) II. 45 In this staggering situation, I imagine They [sc. the ministers] would derive great comfort..by finding [etc.].
1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. & Art II. 73 The remark..is rather staggering, and is calculated to throw the veil of doubt over all the rest.
1836 E. Howard Rattlin xli By noon we had a staggering breeze.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. xiii. 158 He found himself complimented with two staggering blows.
1894 J. C. Jeaffreson Bk. Recoll. II. 28 This rumour was a painful and staggering surprise.
1900 P. C. Simpson Fact of Christ (1901) iv. 115 The idea is utterly staggering and overwhelming.
1934 J. B. Priestley Eng. Journey vi. 202 He still controlled this staggering array of properties, extending from remote industrial villages in Yorkshire to Shaftesbury Avenue.
1939 G. B. Shaw Geneva iv. 54 The staggering, paralyzing, jolly bally breath-bereaving point..is that the dictators have been summoned.
1951 Sport 30 Mar. 9/1 Staggering offers have been made for Twentyman, a half-back of immense promise.
1958 P. Gibbs Curtains of Yesterday iv. 53 Summoning two of his men he had the lorry filled up with a staggering amount of food—cheese, bread, bully beef, hams, tinned food.
1978 Lancs. Life July 55/4 Rich man though he was..the High Sheriff must have faced a staggering bill.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1915; most recently modified version published online September 2021).
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n.1530
adj.?1566