stumblen.

/ˈstʌmb(ə)l/

Forms: Also 1500s stomble.

Etymology: < stumble v.

1. An act of stumbling.

a. A missing one's footing, a partial fall.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > adversity > calamity or misfortune > [noun] > misfortune or ill-luck > instance of misfortune or ill-luck

unsitheOE

evila1300

mischiefa1325

illa1340

adversity1340

infortunea1393

infortunity1477

cladec1480

misfortunec1485

fortune1490

trouble?1521

stumble1547

infelicity1575

disgrace1622

unfortunacya1662

disgracia1740

miscanter1781

reversal1846

avalanche1850

rough spin1919

the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > [noun] > manner of walking > stumbling > a stumble

spurnc1390

stumble1547

snappera1572

trip1681

stoiter1838

1645 J. Howell Epistolæ Ho-elianæ iii. xxxi. 110 I was told of a Spaniard who having got a fall by a stumble and broke his nose, rise up, and in a disdainfull manner said,..This is to walk upon earth.

1743 J. Wesley Jrnl. 20 Oct. (ed. 2) Many endeavour'd to throw me down, while we were going down-hill on a slippery path to the town... But I made no stumble at all, nor the least slip 'till I was intirely out of their hands.

1825 W. Scott Talisman ix, in Tales Crusaders IV. 178 The horse of the knight made such a perilous stumble, as threatened to add a practical moral to the tale.

1890 D. Davidson Mem. Long Life ix. 224 Douglas Graham's horse had stumbled in the soft bed of the nullah, and that stumble saved his rider's life.

figurative.1547 J. Harrison Exhort. Scottes sig. eiii This is a greate stomble at the thressholde of the dore: for it is plain by histories, that Lusitania, was not called Portyngale, almost by a M. yeres, after this supposed tyme.1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre iv. xx. 203 A Prince, who in the race of his life met with many rubs, some stumbles, no dangerous fall.

†b. An ineffectual attempt. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > failure or lack of success > [noun] > failed attempt

stumblea1635

flash in the pan1705

false start1815

flat move1819

boss-shot1890

crash-and-burn1985

a1635 R. Corbet Nonsence in Poems (1807) 221 Or lyke to rhyming verse that runs in prose, Or lyke the stumbles of a tynder box.

c. A blunder, slip.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > lack of truth, falsity > an error, mistake > [noun]

misnimming?c1225

errora1340

defaulta1387

balkc1430

fault1523

jeofail1546

errat1548

trip1548

naught1557

missa1568

missinga1568

slide1570

snappera1572

amiss1576

mistaking1579

misprize1590

mistake1600

berry-block1603

solecism1603

fallibility1608

stumblea1612

blota1657

slur1662

incorrectnessa1771

bumble1823

skew1869

(to make) a false step1875

slip-up1909

ricket1958

bad1981

a1612 J. Harington Brief View Church of Eng. in Nugæ Antiquæ (1804) II. 49 Maister Vaghan examined him..and found him but shallow, and not very ready in the Roman tongue, his frend having been fayn to help him up, in two or three fowle stumbles, both of language and matter.

a1641 R. Montagu Acts & Monuments (1642) 379 A prosecution of the former Paragraph, with a stumble of Baronius.

1687 E. Settle Refl. Dryden's Plays 68 By the damnable stumbles Mr. Notes makes in them, he is quite different from Aretine in his Preface.

1736 Ld. Hervey Mem. (1848) I. 408 Sir Robert, finding the stumble his brother had made [in making this suggestion]..joined in the laugh against him.

1901 Scotsman 1 Mar. 7/4 The significant stumble made by the right hon. gentleman in his reply.

†d. A taking offence. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > anger > indignation or resentment > [noun] > fit of

wratha1200

pique1551

snuff1592

stumble1675

huff1757

cream puff1985

1675 J. Bunyan Light in Darkness 35 This their stumble might arise either; 1. From the cruelty of Herod: Or, 2. From their own not observing and keeping in mind the Alarum that God gave them at his Birth.

e. A moral lapse.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > wrongdoing > erring > [noun] > instance

falla1225

scapec1440

lapse1582

slip1601

stumble1702

society > morality > moral evil > wrong conduct > [noun] > moral fall or lapse

falla1225

scapec1440

surreption1536

prolapsion1581

lapse1582

slip1601

stumble1702

1702 Eng. Theophrastus 186 One stumble is oftentimes enough to deface the character of an honourable life.

1876 H. K. Wood Highw. Salvation v. 57 His stumbles and his transgressions are his sorrow.

f. A stumbling or coming by accident upon something.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > finding or discovery > [noun] > accidentally

stumble1865

1865 J. G. Holland Plain Talks iv. 122 There are exceptions to this rule in the lucky Stumbles that are made upon extraordinary deposits of the precious stones and metals.

2. In generalized sense: The action of stumbling.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > [noun] > manner of walking > stumbling

stumblinga1400

snappering1591

tripping1594

stumble1641

cespitation1654

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > lack of truth, falsity > [noun] > action of erring

mistakinga1400

forvayingc1430

faultingc1450

erring1483

tripping1594

stumble1641

1641 J. Milton Reason Church-govt. 4 How much lesse can we believe that God would leave his..Church..to the perpetuall stumble of conjecture and disturbance.

1692 R. L'Estrange Fables Life ix. 10 The Clown, after a little Stumble within himself,..says..If it be the Custome of the Family, 'tis not for me to be against it.

1880 R. D. Blackmore Mary Anerley I. x. 135 Buoys, nets, kegs,..lay about..here and there and everywhere, upon this half-acre of slip and stumble, at the top of the boat-channel down to the sea.

†3. A stumbling-block. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > wrongdoing > erring > errant conduct > [noun] > occasion or cause of

slanderc1340

stumbling-block1526

stumble1651

society > morality > moral evil > moral or spiritual degeneration > degrading or impairing morally > [noun] > cause of moral lapse or fall

slanderc1340

offendinga1425

stumbling-block1526

stumble1651

1651 H. More Second Lash of Alazanomastix in Enthusiasmus Triumphatus (1656) M 2 b And truly..that Book which hath proved so mischievous a scandal, I intended onely for a stumble to wake you.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1919; most recently modified version published online December 2021).

stumblev.

/ˈstʌmb(ə)l/

Forms: Middle English stomble, stumbill, stumbul, Middle English stombel, stombyl, stomel(e, stomle, stoomel, stumbylle, stumle, stummel, 1800s dialect stummle, Middle English– stumble.

Etymology: Early 14th cent. stomble , stumble (the b is euphonic; the original stomle , stumle , is not recorded till the 15th cent.) corresponds to Norwegian stumla to grope and stumble in the dark (Ross), Danish dialect stumle , Swedish dialect stomla ; perhaps representing an unrecorded Old Norse *stumla , synonymous with the cognate stumra to stumble (Norwegian stumra ): see stummer v. The root is an ablaut-variant of *stam- : see stammer v.

a. intransitive. To miss one's footing, or trip over an obstacle, in walking or running, so as to fall or be in danger of falling.

ΘΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > wrongdoing > erring > [verb (intransitive)]

misfareeOE

failc1290

stumblec1325

errc1374

crookc1380

miscarryc1390

swervea1400

delire?a1475

pervertc1475

misguide1480

prevaricate1582

the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > walk, tread, or step [verb (intransitive)] > stumble

spurnc1000

stumpc1250

misstepc1300

stummer13..

stumblec1325

snappera1352

thrumble1362

snatera1400

tripc1440

stut1574

stomber1588

flounder1592

strumble1681

plunther1841

c1325 Gloss. W. de Bibbesw. in Wright Voc. 143 Ke il ne ceste ne ne chece [glossed stumble ne falle] En la bowe ne messece.

c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 12435 He [the giant] stombled, & gaf a cry.

1338 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 55 A seruitour þer was, þat serued at þe mete, He stombled at a chance, & felle on his kne.

a1340 R. Rolle Psalter xix. 8 Proude horsis that will stumbill and gere vs breke oure neke.

1388 Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) John xi. 10 If he wandre in the niȝt, he stomblith [L. offendit].

c1450 Brut ii. 378 And þanne þeȝe Frenschmen come prikkyng doun as þei wolde haue ouyr-rydyn alle oure meyne; but God and our archers made hem sone to stomble.

?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. xxxiii The cordes is a thyng that woll make a horse to stumble & oft to fall.

1659 in F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney Mem. Verney Family 17th Cent. (1907) II. 147 The horse stumblinge threw them both.

1746 P. Francis tr. Horace in P. Francis & W. Dunkin tr. Horace Epistles i. x. 63 Our Fortunes and our Shoes are near allied; We're pinch'd in strait, and stumble in the wide.

1810 W. Scott Lady of Lake i. 12 But, stumbling in the rugged dell, The gallant horse exhausted fell.

1846 A. Marsh Father Darcy II. xix. 321 A sort of broken gallop, as of horses forced forward, yet faltering and stumbling at every step, was now heard.

1900 W. How Lighter Moments 37 His horse stumbled in a lane and fell with him.

b. with const. at, over.

ΘΠ

the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > walk upon or tread [verb (transitive)] > stumble over something

stumblea1450

a1450 Le Morte Arth. 115 His hors stomelyd at a stone.

c1450 J. Capgrave Life St. Gilbert xliii. 123 Sche stombeled at a blok whech was hid with straw and þus fel sodeynly.

1538 T. Elyot Dict. Offensaculum, that which is layd in a mans waye, whereat he stumbleth.

1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet v. iii. 122 How oft to night haue these my aged feete Stumbled at graues.

a1707 M. Prior Duke of Ormond's Pict. 13 His steed..stumbles o'er the Heap.

1794 A. Radcliffe Myst. of Udolpho III. viii. 229 Give me the torch..and take care you don't stumble over any thing, that lies in your way.

1824 W. Scott Redgauntlet III. ii. 51 Stumbling at every obstacle which the devotion of his guide, Richard, had left in the path, he [etc.].

1833 H. Martineau Briery Creek iii. 58 As sure as one walks in the dark, one stumbles over a pig.

1845 R. Ford Hand-bk. Travellers in Spain I. i. 52 Having stumbled over a stone.

1894 L. Alma-Tadema Wings of Icarus 158 I turned from the window and stumbled over something; I lighted a candle.

c. To fall in consequence of a stumble.

ΘΠ

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > falling > fall [verb (intransitive)] > fall down or from erect position > specifically of person or animal > stumble and fall

founderc1405

stumblec1503

c1503 Beuys of Southhamptowne (Pynson) 2454 There was a wel,..And Beuys stumbled ryght therin.

1907 Connoisseur Apr. 275/2 Here are men fighting.., there a horse is stumbling to his knees.

d. To knock or jostle against (a person or thing) involuntarily.

ΘΠ

the world > movement > impact > impinge upon [verb (transitive)] > accidentally

stumblec1440

to run into ——1829

c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 481/1 Stummelyn, or hurtelyn a-ȝen a stole, or clogge, or oþer lyke, impingo.

a1822 P. B. Shelley tr. J. W. von Goethe Scenes from Faust in Posthumous Poems (1824) 400 Every step One stumbles 'gainst some crag.

1835 Politeness & Gd.-breeding 28 This boy or girl..who never..tries to vex your feelings, but if they happen so much as to stumble against you, or hurt you in any way, say immediately, ‘I am sorry for it.’

1866 C. Kingsley Hereward the Wake II. xxii. 380 ‘I am out,’ quoth Hereward, as the man almost stumbled against him; ‘and this is in.’

e. Of an inanimate thing: To strike unexpectedly on.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > travel by water > shipwreck > suffer shipwreck [verb (intransitive)] > strike a rock

stumble1702

1702 Secret Mercury 23– 30 Sept. 2/1 I press'd her to discover her Lodgings, but in vain; for the Boat just stumbled on the Stones and parted us.

a1822 P. B. Shelley tr. P. Calderon Scenes from Magico Prodigioso in Posthumous Poems (1824) 378 It [sc. that sad ship] strikes—..It stumbles on a jagged rock.

f. Phrase, to stumble at (on) the threshold. Chiefly figurative, to fail, take offence, meet with an ominous check at the beginning of an enterprise.

ΘΠ

the world > action or operation > failure or lack of success > fail or be unsuccessful [verb (intransitive)] > start unsuccessfully

to stumble at (on) the threshold1377

to get (start, etc.) off on the wrong foot1844

1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. v. 357 He stumbled [So several MSS.; but seethrumble v.¹] on the thresshewolde.

1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. May 230 Tho went the pensife Damme out of dore And chaunst to stomble at the threshold flore.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 (1623) iv. viii. 11.

1699 T. Baker Refl. Learning xvi. 200 This is no very great mistake, but it is always ominous to stumble at the threshold.

1725 N. Bailey tr. Erasmus All Familiar Colloquies 209 I lately began to read Seneca's Epistles, and stumbled, as they say, at the very Threshold.

1877 J. A. Froude Short Stud. (1883) IV. i. iv. 49 He stumbled on the threshold, and had almost fallen, but recovered himself.

2. figurative in various uses.

a. To trip morally.

ΘΠ

society > morality > moral evil > wrong conduct > act wrongly or immorally [verb (intransitive)] > stumble

stumble1303

stummer1562

1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 6521 Ful many on stumble vp and down Of þe greces of syre glotown.

a1340 R. Rolle Psalter xxv. 1 I shal not be seke [L. non infirmabor] þat is, I shal noght stumbul.

c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 2928 Soche stirrynges ger stumble, þat stidfast wold be.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) i. ii. 3 Iul. Would'st thou then counsaile me to fall in loue? Luc. I Madam, so you stumble not vnheedfully.

a1692 T. Shadwell Volunteers (1693) i. i. 7 That Mother in Law of thine, is..I believe given to stumble much; there is an odd fellow keeps her Company.

1853 W. M. Thackeray Eng. Humourists i. 30 They sinned and stumbled..with debt, with drink.

b. To make a slip in speech or action; to blunder through inadvertence or unpreparedness.

ΘΠ

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > lack of truth, falsity > be mistaken, err [verb (intransitive)] > through inadvertance

stumble1530

overslipc1576

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > inaccuracy, inexactness > incorrectness of language > err linguistically [verb (intransitive)]

slipc1340

stumble1530

solecize1627

barbarize1644

1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) i. 51 Yf yt happe..that any..fayle or stomble, or be dystracte from saynge or hering of eny worde, or verse, or psalme [etc.].

1607 S. Rowlands Diogines Lanthorne 44 T'is better stumble with thy feet Then stumble with thy tongue.

1611 M. Smith in Bible (King James) Transl. Pref. ⁋6 But yet as men they [the LXX] stumbled and fell, one while through ouersight, another while through ignorance.

c. To come on or upon by chance and unexpectedly; to come in or into (a place) by chance.

ΘΠ

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming in > go or come into [verb (transitive)] > by chance

stumble1555

to fall into ——1698

stagger1803

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > movement towards a thing, person, or position > meeting or encounter > meet or encounter [verb (transitive)] > unexpectedly or by chance

stumble1555

to come upon ——1622

to come across ——1738

to come on ——1801

to run upon ——1849

the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > finding or discovery > find or discover [verb (transitive)] > find or discover by chance

find1340

to fall with ——?c1475

to fall on ——1533

stumble1555

to come on ——1584

to come upon ——1622

fortune1662

to blunder upon1710

to come across ——1738

1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde f. 309^v He that speaketh much shal sumtimes stumble on the truth.

c1574–5 G. Harvey Let.-bk. (1884) 158 It was mie illuck to stumble on sutch cumpany to Walden warde, that I could not possibely cumpas mie purpose, unles [etc.].

1579 S. Gosson Schoole of Abuse f. 12^v Some Archeplayer or other that hath read a little or stumbled by chance vpon Plautus Comedies.

1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet ii. i. 95 What man art thou..Doest stumble on my counsaile?

1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. i. 33 It was my lucke to stumble in here againe.

1682 N. O. tr. N. Boileau-Despréaux Lutrin ii. 164 Thus trudg'd he nimble: Whom should he stumble next on, But that tough stick of Wood, Boirude the Sexton?

1707 E. Ward Wooden World Dissected 36 You shall sometimes stumble upon a Lieutenant..of a very different Make.

1782 W. Cowper Conversation in Poems 226 He..had a world of talk With one he stumbled on, and lost his walk.

1815 W. Kirby & W. Spence Introd. Entomol. (1818) I. xiii. 417 (note) Some time after making this experiment I stumbled upon a passage in Redi.

1838 W. C. Harris Narr. Exped. S. Afr. 17 In the course of our perambulations..we stumbled upon a waggon discharging a cargo of oranges.

1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. xix. 196 They were not the fittest companions she could have stumbled on.

1874 L. Stephen Hours in Libr. 1st Ser. 13 The founders..appear to have stumbled upon their discovery by a kind of accident.

1877 M. Oliphant Makers of Florence (ed. 2) viii. 211 The curiously accidental and fortuitous way in which real excellence sometimes stumbles into recognition.

1902 S. S. Sprigge Industr. Chevalier vii. 165 Now and again they stumble upon prizes which they cannot appreciate.

d. To take offence; to find a stumbling-block or obstacle to belief. Chiefly with const. at.

ΘΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > disbelief, incredulity > disbelieve [verb (intransitive)] > find obstacles to belief

stumble1526

1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. Diii^v Here parauenture the scrupulouse persone wyll stomble & say [etc.].

1593 T. Bilson Perpetual Govt. Christes Church 410 I see no cause for others to stumble at it.

1647 N. Bacon Hist. Disc. Govt. 46 In case the Prelacy of England should stumble at the Supremacy of Rome.

1687 J. Renwick Let. 13 Aug. in A. Shields Life J. Renwick (1724) 247 Stumble not, because Religion is mocked at.

1782 J. Priestley Hist. Corruptions Christianity I. i. 21 The circumstance at which mankind..stumbled the most.

1860 E. B. Pusey Minor Prophets 92 Those who rebel against the law of God, stumble, in divers manners, at the ways of God. They stumble at God Himself,..they stumble at His attributes; they stumble at His Providence, at His acts [etc.].

1882 E. R. Pitman Mission Life in Greece 326 These two peoples stumble at one ‘stumbling stone’, even Christ.

†e. Proverb.

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 736/2 Thou lepest over a bloke and stomblest at a strawe.

1547 Certain Serm. or Homilies sig. D iv They were of so blynd iudgemente, that they stombled at a strawe, & leped ouer a blocke.

1653 W. Ramesey Astrologia Restaurata To Rdr. 17 To skip over blocks, and stumble at straws.

a. To walk unsteadily and with frequent stumbles.

ΘΠ

the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > walk, tread, or step [verb (intransitive)] > unsteadily

wiggle?c1225

walter1399

falterc1400

stammerc1400

dotterc1475

stavera1500

stumblea1500

reel1529

scamblec1571

halper1596

totter1602

folder1607

wamble1611

to make a Virginia fence1671

wandle1686

fribble1709

rock1718

stoit1719

stoiter1724

swagger1724

doddle1761

stotter1781

toit1786

doiter1793

stot1801

dodder1819

twaddle1823

teeter1844

shoggle1884

welter1884

warple1887

whemmel1895

a1500 (?a1400) Sir Torrent of Portyngale (1887) l. 660 Stomlyng thurrow frythe and fen, Tyll he com to a depe glen [MS reads thorne].

1577 J. Grange Golden Aphroditis sig. Nij^v But who so bolde as blinde Bayarde? for he mistrusting nought, comes stumbling forth at will.

1627 T. May tr. Lucan Pharsalia (new ed.) iii. F 1 He seeing his Sonne fall with trembling step Stumbling along came to that side the ship.

1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iii. 201 But..blind be blinded more, That they may stumble on, and deeper fall.

1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World xv. 408 By this unreasonable custom they [sc. the Chinese women] do in a manner lose the use of their Feet, and instead of going they only stumble about their Houses.

1831 W. Scott Castle Dangerous iii, in Tales of my Landlord 4th Ser. IV. 94 She kept talking all the while as she stumbled onward.

1869 H. F. Tozer Res. Highlands of Turkey I. 292 We stumbled along behind him by the light of the stars, over very rough places.

1878 R. Browning La Saisiaz 59 What a load he stumbles under through his glad sad seventy years.

1883 R. L. Stevenson Treasure Island iv. xx. 163 And with a dreadful oath he stumbled off, ploughed down the sand,..and disappeared.

1902 S. E. White Blazed Trail iv. 29 He dressed, shivering, and stumbled down stairs to a round stove.

b. transferred. Of an inanimate thing: To move by jolts or falls. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > motion in specific manner > irregular movement or agitation > unsteady movement > move unsteadily [verb (intransitive)] > lurch

wrickc1305

swagger1724

ricket1827

lurch1851

stumble1873

to play stoit1881

to play stoiter1890

1873 A. I. Thackeray Old Kensington (ed. 2) ii. 9 Staring..at the luggage as it comes bumping and stumbling off the big ship.

c. figurative. To proceed, speak, or act in a blundering or hesitating manner.

ΘΠ

the world > action or operation > ability > inability > unskilfulness > do something unskilfully [verb (intransitive)] > blunder, stumble, or flounder

stumblec1394

bumble1533

blunder1641

flounder1684

c1394 P. Pl. Crede 591 Now mot a frere studyen & stumblen in tales.

1590 R. Harvey Plaine Percevall Ded. sig. A2 As farre as Will Solnes stuttring pronunciation may stumble ouer at a breath.

1594 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 iii. ii. 320 My toong should stumble in mine earnest words.

1598 J. Marston Scourge of Villanie To Perusers sig. B4^v Yet both of them [sc. Juvenal and Persius] goe a good seemely pace, not stumbling, shuffling.

1863 A. P. Stanley Lect. Jewish Church I. xiii. 287 Through a succession of failures, they stumbled into perfection.

1868 Ld. Tennyson Lucretius 123 I have forgotten what I meant: my mind Stumbles, and all my faculties are lamed.

1884 Harper's Mag. Nov. 912/2 I'll stumble through the driest scientific treatise you have.

1891 F. W. Farrar Darkness & Dawn I. xv. 129 Seneca blushed, and his smooth tongue stumbled, as he attempted to express his gratification.

4. transitive (causatively).

a. To trip up, bring to the ground, overthrow. literal and figurative ? Obsolete.

ΘΠ

the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > walk upon or tread [verb (transitive)] > stumble over something > cause to stumble

stumblec1330

supplantc1350

tripc1425

to give a person the foot1767

chip1788

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > causing to come or go down > cause to come or go down [verb (transitive)] > cause to stumble and fall

stumblec1330

supplantc1350

tripc1425

to give a person the foot1767

leg1835

c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 13050 Stedes slayn, stumbled & failled.

a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Eccles. x. 12 The lippis of the vnwise shuln stumblen hym doun [L. præcipitabunt eum].

?1592 Trag. Solyman & Perseda iv. i. 222 I, now occasion serues to stumble him That thrust his sickle in my haruest corne.

1652 W. Brough Sacred Princ. (ed. 2) 449 Stumble not an Vpright foot, with a visible Block of offence.

b. To puzzle; to give pause or offence to; to embarrass, nonplus.

ΘΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > perplexity, bewilderment > act of perplexing > confuse, perplex, bewilder [verb (transitive)] > nonplus

stagger1556

gravel1566

set1577

trump1586

bumbaze1587

puzzlec1595

ground1597

stunt1603

nonplus1605

pose1605

stumble1605

buzzard1624

quandary1681

bamboozle1712

hobble1762

stump1807

have1816

floor1830

flummox1837

stick1851

get1868

to stick up1897

buffalo1903

1605 L. Hutten Answere 5 But the Treatiser thought it more for his aduantage,..to set down his argument confusedly, the more to stumble the vnskilfull Reader.

1621 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy ii. iv. i. i. 433 A common ague somtimes stumbles them all [sc. Physitians], they cannot so much as ease.

1653 W. Ramesey Astrologia Restaurata 22 I think good for the clearing of all what hath been already said (least some may be stumbled thereat) to deliver my minde as touching their influence thus.

1668 S. Simmons in J. Milton Paradise Lost (new ed.) To Rdr. sig. A2 A reason of that which stumbled many others, why the Poem Rimes not.

1682 J. Bunyan Holy War 381 To question Election is..to stumble the faith of the Town of Mansoul.

a1700 A. Shields Life J. Renwick (1724) 123 By these and the like Reproaches, many were stumbled at his Testimony.

1785 W. Cowper Task iv. 533 In days like these..when Virtue is so scarce, That to suppose a scene where she presides..stumbles all belief.

1893 W. G. Collingwood Life & Work J. Ruskin I. 172 The proud possessor of a cut-and-dry creed will be stumbled by this new milestone in Mr. Ruskin's intellectual pilgrimage.

1901 Church Quarterly July 425 He [a Chinese man] is much stumbled that..the claims of a man's wife take precedence of those of his elder brother.

†c. To shake (a resolve, an opinion). Obsolete.

ΘΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > doubt [verb (transitive)] > cause doubt

branglea1600

forgive1600

stumble1607

uncertain1614

uncredit1615

disconceita1639

scruple1638

startle1643

stagger1646

unfix1650

inscruple1663

unhinge1719

unconvince1815

unsettle1833

to keep (a person) guessing1896

1607 G. Markham Cavelarice iii. 34 There is nothing dooth so much stumble mens mindes, and make them affraide of keeping hunting horses, as the verie remembrance and charge of keeping them.

1646 in Hamilton Papers (1880) 134 The small appearance he findes that his message will be satisfactory to you there hath much stumbled his resolution of sending it to London.

1651 N. Bacon Contin. Hist. Disc. Govt. 192 Nor was it wisdome for Kings that sate loose in their Thrones, to stumble the good Opinions of so considerable [a] party towards them.

†d. To act as an obstacle to, to hinder, prevent.

ΘΠ

the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > hinder [verb (transitive)] > be an obstacle to

stumble1606

1606 W. Warner Continuance Albions Eng. xvi. ciii. 406 What stumbleth our Banes-bidding, pra? cause Peg forsooth will be A Gentlewoman.

Derivatives

ˈstumbled adj.

ΘΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > perplexity, bewilderment > [adjective] > at a loss

shentc1440

stumbled1548

nonplussed1606

unresponsive1668

pitch-kettled1788

posed1820

bepuzzled1826

buffaloed-

1548 T. Cooper Bibliotheca Eliotæ (rev. ed.) Titubatus, tripped, stumbled.

1848 S. Wilberforce in A. R. Ashwell Life S. Wilberforce (1880) I. xi. 499 Though to anonymous public slanderers I would give no answer, yet to a stumbled Christian friend I ought even to humble myself to reply to a surmise so degrading to my character even as this.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1919; most recently modified version published online September 2021).

单词	stumble
释义	stumblen. /ˈstʌmb(ə)l/ Forms: Also 1500s stomble. Etymology: < stumble v. 1. An act of stumbling. a. A missing one's footing, a partial fall. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > adversity > calamity or misfortune > [noun] > misfortune or ill-luck > instance of misfortune or ill-luck unsitheOE evila1300 mischiefa1325 illa1340 adversity1340 infortunea1393 infortunity1477 cladec1480 misfortunec1485 fortune1490 trouble?1521 stumble1547 infelicity1575 disgrace1622 unfortunacya1662 disgracia1740 miscanter1781 reversal1846 avalanche1850 rough spin1919 the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > [noun] > manner of walking > stumbling > a stumble spurnc1390 stumble1547 snappera1572 trip1681 stoiter1838 1645 J. Howell Epistolæ Ho-elianæ iii. xxxi. 110 I was told of a Spaniard who having got a fall by a stumble and broke his nose, rise up, and in a disdainfull manner said,..This is to walk upon earth. 1743 J. Wesley Jrnl. 20 Oct. (ed. 2) Many endeavour'd to throw me down, while we were going down-hill on a slippery path to the town... But I made no stumble at all, nor the least slip 'till I was intirely out of their hands. 1825 W. Scott Talisman ix, in Tales Crusaders IV. 178 The horse of the knight made such a perilous stumble, as threatened to add a practical moral to the tale. 1890 D. Davidson Mem. Long Life ix. 224 Douglas Graham's horse had stumbled in the soft bed of the nullah, and that stumble saved his rider's life. figurative.1547 J. Harrison Exhort. Scottes sig. eiii This is a greate stomble at the thressholde of the dore: for it is plain by histories, that Lusitania, was not called Portyngale, almost by a M. yeres, after this supposed tyme.1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre iv. xx. 203 A Prince, who in the race of his life met with many rubs, some stumbles, no dangerous fall. †b. An ineffectual attempt. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > failure or lack of success > [noun] > failed attempt stumblea1635 flash in the pan1705 false start1815 flat move1819 boss-shot1890 crash-and-burn1985 a1635 R. Corbet Nonsence in Poems (1807) 221 Or lyke to rhyming verse that runs in prose, Or lyke the stumbles of a tynder box. c. A blunder, slip. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > lack of truth, falsity > an error, mistake > [noun] misnimming?c1225 errora1340 defaulta1387 balkc1430 fault1523 jeofail1546 errat1548 trip1548 naught1557 missa1568 missinga1568 slide1570 snappera1572 amiss1576 mistaking1579 misprize1590 mistake1600 berry-block1603 solecism1603 fallibility1608 stumblea1612 blota1657 slur1662 incorrectnessa1771 bumble1823 skew1869 (to make) a false step1875 slip-up1909 ricket1958 bad1981 a1612 J. Harington Brief View Church of Eng. in Nugæ Antiquæ (1804) II. 49 Maister Vaghan examined him..and found him but shallow, and not very ready in the Roman tongue, his frend having been fayn to help him up, in two or three fowle stumbles, both of language and matter. a1641 R. Montagu Acts & Monuments (1642) 379 A prosecution of the former Paragraph, with a stumble of Baronius. 1687 E. Settle Refl. Dryden's Plays 68 By the damnable stumbles Mr. Notes makes in them, he is quite different from Aretine in his Preface. 1736 Ld. Hervey Mem. (1848) I. 408 Sir Robert, finding the stumble his brother had made [in making this suggestion]..joined in the laugh against him. 1901 Scotsman 1 Mar. 7/4 The significant stumble made by the right hon. gentleman in his reply. †d. A taking offence. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > anger > indignation or resentment > [noun] > fit of wratha1200 pique1551 snuff1592 stumble1675 huff1757 cream puff1985 1675 J. Bunyan Light in Darkness 35 This their stumble might arise either; 1. From the cruelty of Herod: Or, 2. From their own not observing and keeping in mind the Alarum that God gave them at his Birth. e. A moral lapse. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > wrongdoing > erring > [noun] > instance falla1225 scapec1440 lapse1582 slip1601 stumble1702 society > morality > moral evil > wrong conduct > [noun] > moral fall or lapse falla1225 scapec1440 surreption1536 prolapsion1581 lapse1582 slip1601 stumble1702 1702 Eng. Theophrastus 186 One stumble is oftentimes enough to deface the character of an honourable life. 1876 H. K. Wood Highw. Salvation v. 57 His stumbles and his transgressions are his sorrow. f. A stumbling or coming by accident upon something. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > finding or discovery > [noun] > accidentally stumble1865 1865 J. G. Holland Plain Talks iv. 122 There are exceptions to this rule in the lucky Stumbles that are made upon extraordinary deposits of the precious stones and metals. 2. In generalized sense: The action of stumbling. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > [noun] > manner of walking > stumbling stumblinga1400 snappering1591 tripping1594 stumble1641 cespitation1654 the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > lack of truth, falsity > [noun] > action of erring mistakinga1400 forvayingc1430 faultingc1450 erring1483 tripping1594 stumble1641 1641 J. Milton Reason Church-govt. 4 How much lesse can we believe that God would leave his..Church..to the perpetuall stumble of conjecture and disturbance. 1692 R. L'Estrange Fables Life ix. 10 The Clown, after a little Stumble within himself,..says..If it be the Custome of the Family, 'tis not for me to be against it. 1880 R. D. Blackmore Mary Anerley I. x. 135 Buoys, nets, kegs,..lay about..here and there and everywhere, upon this half-acre of slip and stumble, at the top of the boat-channel down to the sea. †3. A stumbling-block. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > wrongdoing > erring > errant conduct > [noun] > occasion or cause of slanderc1340 stumbling-block1526 stumble1651 society > morality > moral evil > moral or spiritual degeneration > degrading or impairing morally > [noun] > cause of moral lapse or fall slanderc1340 offendinga1425 stumbling-block1526 stumble1651 1651 H. More Second Lash of Alazanomastix in Enthusiasmus Triumphatus (1656) M 2 b And truly..that Book which hath proved so mischievous a scandal, I intended onely for a stumble to wake you. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1919; most recently modified version published online December 2021). stumblev. /ˈstʌmb(ə)l/ Forms: Middle English stomble, stumbill, stumbul, Middle English stombel, stombyl, stomel(e, stomle, stoomel, stumbylle, stumle, stummel, 1800s dialect stummle, Middle English– stumble. Etymology: Early 14th cent. stomble , stumble (the b is euphonic; the original stomle , stumle , is not recorded till the 15th cent.) corresponds to Norwegian stumla to grope and stumble in the dark (Ross), Danish dialect stumle , Swedish dialect stomla ; perhaps representing an unrecorded Old Norse stumla , synonymous with the cognate stumra* to stumble (Norwegian stumra ): see stummer v. The root is an ablaut-variant of stam- : see stammer v. 1. a. intransitive. To miss one's footing, or trip over an obstacle, in walking or running, so as to fall or be in danger of falling. ΘΠ the mind > goodness and badness > wrongdoing > erring > [verb (intransitive)] misfareeOE failc1290 stumblec1325 errc1374 crookc1380 miscarryc1390 swervea1400 delire?a1475 pervertc1475 misguide1480 prevaricate1582 the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > walk, tread, or step [verb (intransitive)] > stumble spurnc1000 stumpc1250 misstepc1300 stummer13.. stumblec1325 snappera1352 thrumble1362 snatera1400 tripc1440 stut1574 stomber1588 flounder1592 strumble1681 plunther1841 c1325 Gloss. W. de Bibbesw.* in Wright Voc. 143 Ke il ne ceste ne ne chece [glossed stumble ne falle] En la bowe ne messece. c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 12435 He [the giant] stombled, & gaf a cry. 1338 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 55 A seruitour þer was, þat serued at þe mete, He stombled at a chance, & felle on his kne. a1340 R. Rolle Psalter xix. 8 Proude horsis that will stumbill and gere vs breke oure neke. 1388 Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) John xi. 10 If he wandre in the niȝt, he stomblith [L. offendit]. c1450 Brut ii. 378 And þanne þeȝe Frenschmen come prikkyng doun as þei wolde haue ouyr-rydyn alle oure meyne; but God and our archers made hem sone to stomble. ?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. xxxiii The cordes is a thyng that woll make a horse to stumble & oft to fall. 1659 in F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney Mem. Verney Family 17th Cent. (1907) II. 147 The horse stumblinge threw them both. 1746 P. Francis tr. Horace in P. Francis & W. Dunkin tr. Horace Epistles i. x. 63 Our Fortunes and our Shoes are near allied; We're pinch'd in strait, and stumble in the wide. 1810 W. Scott Lady of Lake i. 12 But, stumbling in the rugged dell, The gallant horse exhausted fell. 1846 A. Marsh Father Darcy II. xix. 321 A sort of broken gallop, as of horses forced forward, yet faltering and stumbling at every step, was now heard. 1900 W. How Lighter Moments 37 His horse stumbled in a lane and fell with him. b. with const. at, over. ΘΠ the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > walk upon or tread [verb (transitive)] > stumble over something stumblea1450 a1450 Le Morte Arth. 115 His hors stomelyd at a stone. c1450 J. Capgrave Life St. Gilbert xliii. 123 Sche stombeled at a blok whech was hid with straw and þus fel sodeynly. 1538 T. Elyot Dict. Offensaculum, that which is layd in a mans waye, whereat he stumbleth. 1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet v. iii. 122 How oft to night haue these my aged feete Stumbled at graues. View more context for this quotation a1707 M. Prior Duke of Ormond's Pict. 13 His steed..stumbles o'er the Heap. 1794 A. Radcliffe Myst. of Udolpho III. viii. 229 Give me the torch..and take care you don't stumble over any thing, that lies in your way. 1824 W. Scott Redgauntlet III. ii. 51 Stumbling at every obstacle which the devotion of his guide, Richard, had left in the path, he [etc.]. 1833 H. Martineau Briery Creek iii. 58 As sure as one walks in the dark, one stumbles over a pig. 1845 R. Ford Hand-bk. Travellers in Spain I. i. 52 Having stumbled over a stone. 1894 L. Alma-Tadema Wings of Icarus 158 I turned from the window and stumbled over something; I lighted a candle. c. To fall in consequence of a stumble. ΘΠ the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > falling > fall [verb (intransitive)] > fall down or from erect position > specifically of person or animal > stumble and fall founderc1405 stumblec1503 c1503 Beuys of Southhamptowne (Pynson) 2454 There was a wel,..And Beuys stumbled ryght therin. 1907 Connoisseur Apr. 275/2 Here are men fighting.., there a horse is stumbling to his knees. d. To knock or jostle against (a person or thing) involuntarily. ΘΠ the world > movement > impact > impinge upon [verb (transitive)] > accidentally stumblec1440 to run into ——1829 c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 481/1 Stummelyn, or hurtelyn a-ȝen a stole, or clogge, or oþer lyke, impingo. a1822 P. B. Shelley tr. J. W. von Goethe Scenes from Faust in Posthumous Poems (1824) 400 Every step One stumbles 'gainst some crag. 1835 Politeness & Gd.-breeding 28 This boy or girl..who never..tries to vex your feelings, but if they happen so much as to stumble against you, or hurt you in any way, say immediately, ‘I am sorry for it.’ 1866 C. Kingsley Hereward the Wake II. xxii. 380 ‘I am out,’ quoth Hereward, as the man almost stumbled against him; ‘and this is in.’ e. Of an inanimate thing: To strike unexpectedly on. ΘΚΠ society > travel > travel by water > shipwreck > suffer shipwreck [verb (intransitive)] > strike a rock stumble1702 1702 Secret Mercury 23– 30 Sept. 2/1 I press'd her to discover her Lodgings, but in vain; for the Boat just stumbled on the Stones and parted us. a1822 P. B. Shelley tr. P. Calderon Scenes from Magico Prodigioso in Posthumous Poems (1824) 378 It [sc. that sad ship] strikes—..It stumbles on a jagged rock. f. Phrase, to stumble at (on) the threshold. Chiefly figurative, to fail, take offence, meet with an ominous check at the beginning of an enterprise. ΘΠ the world > action or operation > failure or lack of success > fail or be unsuccessful [verb (intransitive)] > start unsuccessfully to stumble at (on) the threshold1377 to get (start, etc.) off on the wrong foot1844 1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. v. 357 He stumbled [So several MSS.; but seethrumble v.¹] on the thresshewolde. 1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. May 230 Tho went the pensife Damme out of dore And chaunst to stomble at the threshold flore. a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 (1623) iv. viii. 11. 1699 T. Baker Refl. Learning xvi. 200 This is no very great mistake, but it is always ominous to stumble at the threshold. 1725 N. Bailey tr. Erasmus All Familiar Colloquies 209 I lately began to read Seneca's Epistles, and stumbled, as they say, at the very Threshold. 1877 J. A. Froude Short Stud. (1883) IV. i. iv. 49 He stumbled on the threshold, and had almost fallen, but recovered himself. 2. figurative in various uses. a. To trip morally. ΘΠ society > morality > moral evil > wrong conduct > act wrongly or immorally [verb (intransitive)] > stumble stumble1303 stummer1562 1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 6521 Ful many on stumble vp and down Of þe greces of syre glotown. a1340 R. Rolle Psalter xxv. 1 I shal not be seke [L. non infirmabor] þat is, I shal noght stumbul. c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 2928 Soche stirrynges ger stumble, þat stidfast wold be. a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) i. ii. 3 Iul. Would'st thou then counsaile me to fall in loue? Luc. I Madam, so you stumble not vnheedfully. View more context for this quotation a1692 T. Shadwell Volunteers (1693) i. i. 7 That Mother in Law of thine, is..I believe given to stumble much; there is an odd fellow keeps her Company. 1853 W. M. Thackeray Eng. Humourists i. 30 They sinned and stumbled..with debt, with drink. b. To make a slip in speech or action; to blunder through inadvertence or unpreparedness. ΘΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > lack of truth, falsity > be mistaken, err [verb (intransitive)] > through inadvertance stumble1530 overslipc1576 the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > inaccuracy, inexactness > incorrectness of language > err linguistically [verb (intransitive)] slipc1340 stumble1530 solecize1627 barbarize1644 1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) i. 51 Yf yt happe..that any..fayle or stomble, or be dystracte from saynge or hering of eny worde, or verse, or psalme [etc.]. 1607 S. Rowlands Diogines Lanthorne 44 T'is better stumble with thy feet Then stumble with thy tongue. 1611 M. Smith in Bible (King James) Transl. Pref. ⁋6 But yet as men they [the LXX] stumbled and fell, one while through ouersight, another while through ignorance. c. To come on or upon by chance and unexpectedly; to come in or into (a place) by chance. ΘΠ the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming in > go or come into [verb (transitive)] > by chance stumble1555 to fall into ——1698 stagger1803 the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > movement towards a thing, person, or position > meeting or encounter > meet or encounter [verb (transitive)] > unexpectedly or by chance stumble1555 to come upon ——1622 to come across ——1738 to come on ——1801 to run upon ——1849 the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > finding or discovery > find or discover [verb (transitive)] > find or discover by chance find1340 to fall with ——?c1475 to fall on ——1533 stumble1555 to come on ——1584 to come upon ——1622 fortune1662 to blunder upon1710 to come across ——1738 1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde f. 309^v He that speaketh much shal sumtimes stumble on the truth. c1574–5 G. Harvey Let.-bk. (1884) 158 It was mie illuck to stumble on sutch cumpany to Walden warde, that I could not possibely cumpas mie purpose, unles [etc.]. 1579 S. Gosson Schoole of Abuse f. 12^v Some Archeplayer or other that hath read a little or stumbled by chance vpon Plautus Comedies. 1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet ii. i. 95 What man art thou..Doest stumble on my counsaile? View more context for this quotation 1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. i. 33 It was my lucke to stumble in here againe. 1682 N. O. tr. N. Boileau-Despréaux Lutrin ii. 164 Thus trudg'd he nimble: Whom should he stumble next on, But that tough stick of Wood, Boirude the Sexton? 1707 E. Ward Wooden World Dissected 36 You shall sometimes stumble upon a Lieutenant..of a very different Make. 1782 W. Cowper Conversation in Poems 226 He..had a world of talk With one he stumbled on, and lost his walk. 1815 W. Kirby & W. Spence Introd. Entomol. (1818) I. xiii. 417 (note) Some time after making this experiment I stumbled upon a passage in Redi. 1838 W. C. Harris Narr. Exped. S. Afr. 17 In the course of our perambulations..we stumbled upon a waggon discharging a cargo of oranges. 1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. xix. 196 They were not the fittest companions she could have stumbled on. 1874 L. Stephen Hours in Libr. 1st Ser. 13 The founders..appear to have stumbled upon their discovery by a kind of accident. 1877 M. Oliphant Makers of Florence (ed. 2) viii. 211 The curiously accidental and fortuitous way in which real excellence sometimes stumbles into recognition. 1902 S. S. Sprigge Industr. Chevalier vii. 165 Now and again they stumble upon prizes which they cannot appreciate. d. To take offence; to find a stumbling-block or obstacle to belief. Chiefly with const. at. ΘΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > disbelief, incredulity > disbelieve [verb (intransitive)] > find obstacles to belief stumble1526 1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. Diii^v Here parauenture the scrupulouse persone wyll stomble & say [etc.]. 1593 T. Bilson Perpetual Govt. Christes Church 410 I see no cause for others to stumble at it. 1647 N. Bacon Hist. Disc. Govt. 46 In case the Prelacy of England should stumble at the Supremacy of Rome. 1687 J. Renwick Let. 13 Aug. in A. Shields Life J. Renwick (1724) 247 Stumble not, because Religion is mocked at. 1782 J. Priestley Hist. Corruptions Christianity I. i. 21 The circumstance at which mankind..stumbled the most. 1860 E. B. Pusey Minor Prophets 92 Those who rebel against the law of God, stumble, in divers manners, at the ways of God. They stumble at God Himself,..they stumble at His attributes; they stumble at His Providence, at His acts [etc.]. 1882 E. R. Pitman Mission Life in Greece 326 These two peoples stumble at one ‘stumbling stone’, even Christ. †e. Proverb. Π 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 736/2 Thou lepest over a bloke and stomblest at a strawe. 1547 Certain Serm. or Homilies sig. D iv They were of so blynd iudgemente, that they stombled at a strawe, & leped ouer a blocke. 1653 W. Ramesey Astrologia Restaurata To Rdr. 17 To skip over blocks, and stumble at straws. 3. a. To walk unsteadily and with frequent stumbles. ΘΠ the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > walk, tread, or step [verb (intransitive)] > unsteadily wiggle?c1225 walter1399 falterc1400 stammerc1400 dotterc1475 stavera1500 stumblea1500 reel1529 scamblec1571 halper1596 totter1602 folder1607 wamble1611 to make a Virginia fence1671 wandle1686 fribble1709 rock1718 stoit1719 stoiter1724 swagger1724 doddle1761 stotter1781 toit1786 doiter1793 stot1801 dodder1819 twaddle1823 teeter1844 shoggle1884 welter1884 warple1887 whemmel1895 a1500 (?a1400) Sir Torrent of Portyngale (1887) l. 660 Stomlyng thurrow frythe and fen, Tyll he com to a depe glen [MS reads thorne]. 1577 J. Grange Golden Aphroditis sig. Nij^v But who so bolde as blinde Bayarde? for he mistrusting nought, comes stumbling forth at will. 1627 T. May tr. Lucan Pharsalia (new ed.) iii. F 1 He seeing his Sonne fall with trembling step Stumbling along came to that side the ship. 1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iii. 201 But..blind be blinded more, That they may stumble on, and deeper fall. View more context for this quotation 1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World xv. 408 By this unreasonable custom they [sc. the Chinese women] do in a manner lose the use of their Feet, and instead of going they only stumble about their Houses. 1831 W. Scott Castle Dangerous iii, in Tales of my Landlord 4th Ser. IV. 94 She kept talking all the while as she stumbled onward. 1869 H. F. Tozer Res. Highlands of Turkey I. 292 We stumbled along behind him by the light of the stars, over very rough places. 1878 R. Browning La Saisiaz 59 What a load he stumbles under through his glad sad seventy years. 1883 R. L. Stevenson Treasure Island iv. xx. 163 And with a dreadful oath he stumbled off, ploughed down the sand,..and disappeared. 1902 S. E. White Blazed Trail iv. 29 He dressed, shivering, and stumbled down stairs to a round stove. b. transferred. Of an inanimate thing: To move by jolts or falls. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in specific manner > irregular movement or agitation > unsteady movement > move unsteadily [verb (intransitive)] > lurch wrickc1305 swagger1724 ricket1827 lurch1851 stumble1873 to play stoit1881 to play stoiter1890 1873 A. I. Thackeray Old Kensington (ed. 2) ii. 9 Staring..at the luggage as it comes bumping and stumbling off the big ship. c. figurative. To proceed, speak, or act in a blundering or hesitating manner. ΘΠ the world > action or operation > ability > inability > unskilfulness > do something unskilfully [verb (intransitive)] > blunder, stumble, or flounder stumblec1394 bumble1533 blunder1641 flounder1684 c1394 P. Pl. Crede 591 Now mot a frere studyen & stumblen in tales. 1590 R. Harvey Plaine Percevall Ded. sig. A2 As farre as Will Solnes stuttring pronunciation may stumble ouer at a breath. 1594 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 iii. ii. 320 My toong should stumble in mine earnest words. 1598 J. Marston Scourge of Villanie To Perusers sig. B4^v Yet both of them [sc. Juvenal and Persius] goe a good seemely pace, not stumbling, shuffling. 1863 A. P. Stanley Lect. Jewish Church I. xiii. 287 Through a succession of failures, they stumbled into perfection. 1868 Ld. Tennyson Lucretius 123 I have forgotten what I meant: my mind Stumbles, and all my faculties are lamed. 1884 Harper's Mag. Nov. 912/2 I'll stumble through the driest scientific treatise you have. 1891 F. W. Farrar Darkness & Dawn I. xv. 129 Seneca blushed, and his smooth tongue stumbled, as he attempted to express his gratification. 4. transitive (causatively). a. To trip up, bring to the ground, overthrow. literal and figurative ? Obsolete. ΘΠ the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > walk upon or tread [verb (transitive)] > stumble over something > cause to stumble stumblec1330 supplantc1350 tripc1425 to give a person the foot1767 chip1788 the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > causing to come or go down > cause to come or go down [verb (transitive)] > cause to stumble and fall stumblec1330 supplantc1350 tripc1425 to give a person the foot1767 leg1835 c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 13050 Stedes slayn, stumbled & failled. a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Eccles. x. 12 The lippis of the vnwise shuln stumblen hym doun [L. præcipitabunt eum]. ?1592 Trag. Solyman & Perseda iv. i. 222 I, now occasion serues to stumble him That thrust his sickle in my haruest corne. 1652 W. Brough Sacred Princ. (ed. 2) 449 Stumble not an Vpright foot, with a visible Block of offence. b. To puzzle; to give pause or offence to; to embarrass, nonplus. ΘΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > perplexity, bewilderment > act of perplexing > confuse, perplex, bewilder [verb (transitive)] > nonplus stagger1556 gravel1566 set1577 trump1586 bumbaze1587 puzzlec1595 ground1597 stunt1603 nonplus1605 pose1605 stumble1605 buzzard1624 quandary1681 bamboozle1712 hobble1762 stump1807 have1816 floor1830 flummox1837 stick1851 get1868 to stick up1897 buffalo1903 1605 L. Hutten Answere 5 But the Treatiser thought it more for his aduantage,..to set down his argument confusedly, the more to stumble the vnskilfull Reader. 1621 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy ii. iv. i. i. 433 A common ague somtimes stumbles them all [sc. Physitians], they cannot so much as ease. 1653 W. Ramesey Astrologia Restaurata 22 I think good for the clearing of all what hath been already said (least some may be stumbled thereat) to deliver my minde as touching their influence thus. 1668 S. Simmons in J. Milton Paradise Lost (new ed.) To Rdr. sig. A2 A reason of that which stumbled many others, why the Poem Rimes not. 1682 J. Bunyan Holy War 381 To question Election is..to stumble the faith of the Town of Mansoul. View more context for this quotation a1700 A. Shields Life J. Renwick (1724) 123 By these and the like Reproaches, many were stumbled at his Testimony. 1785 W. Cowper Task iv. 533 In days like these..when Virtue is so scarce, That to suppose a scene where she presides..stumbles all belief. 1893 W. G. Collingwood Life & Work J. Ruskin I. 172 The proud possessor of a cut-and-dry creed will be stumbled by this new milestone in Mr. Ruskin's intellectual pilgrimage. 1901 Church Quarterly July 425 He [a Chinese man] is much stumbled that..the claims of a man's wife take precedence of those of his elder brother. †c. To shake (a resolve, an opinion). Obsolete. ΘΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > doubt [verb (transitive)] > cause doubt branglea1600 forgive1600 stumble1607 uncertain1614 uncredit1615 disconceita1639 scruple1638 startle1643 stagger1646 unfix1650 inscruple1663 unhinge1719 unconvince1815 unsettle1833 to keep (a person) guessing1896 1607 G. Markham Cavelarice iii. 34 There is nothing dooth so much stumble mens mindes, and make them affraide of keeping hunting horses, as the verie remembrance and charge of keeping them. 1646 in Hamilton Papers (1880) 134 The small appearance he findes that his message will be satisfactory to you there hath much stumbled his resolution of sending it to London. 1651 N. Bacon Contin. Hist. Disc. Govt. 192 Nor was it wisdome for Kings that sate loose in their Thrones, to stumble the good Opinions of so considerable [a] party towards them. †d. To act as an obstacle to, to hinder, prevent. ΘΠ the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > hinder [verb (transitive)] > be an obstacle to stumble1606 1606 W. Warner Continuance Albions Eng. xvi. ciii. 406 What stumbleth our Banes-bidding, pra? cause Peg forsooth will be A Gentlewoman. Derivatives ˈstumbled adj. ΘΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > perplexity, bewilderment > [adjective] > at a loss shentc1440 stumbled1548 nonplussed1606 unresponsive1668 pitch-kettled1788 posed1820 bepuzzled1826 buffaloed- 1548 T. Cooper Bibliotheca Eliotæ (rev. ed.) Titubatus, tripped, stumbled. 1848 S. Wilberforce in A. R. Ashwell Life S. Wilberforce (1880) I. xi. 499 Though to anonymous public slanderers I would give no answer, yet to a stumbled Christian friend I ought even to humble myself to reply to a surmise so degrading to my character even as this. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1919; most recently modified version published online September 2021). < n.1547v.1303
随便看	nobeing nobel nobel award nobel committee nobel judge nobel laureate nobel prize nobel prize-man nobel prize-winner nobel prize-winning nobel prizeman nobel prizewinner nobel prizewinning nobelist nobelium nobeliums nobiliary nobiliary particle nobilitate nobilitated nobilitates nobilitating nobilitation nobilities nobility