tumblen.
/ˈtʌmb(ə)l/ An act of tumbling; the condition of being tumbled.
1. An act of acrobatic tumbling; an acrobatic feat. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > acrobatic performance > [noun]
lofty tricks1603
equilibre1769
balancing1801
tumble1824
acrobatics1852
acrobacy1867
1824 W. S. Landor Imaginary Conversat. II. v. 75 A tumble of heels over head, a feat performed by beggar-boys on the roads.
1825 J. Neal Brother Jonathan I. ii. 28 A few hearty tumbles, all alone.
2.
a. An accidental fall; also, the falling of a stream.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > falling > [noun] > a fall
fallc1175
falling downc1350
downfall1556
occase1609
tumble1716
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > falling > [noun] > falling down or from erect position (animates)
falla1400
ruin1483
tumbling?1523
cast1530
tumble1716
spilla1845
1716 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 21 Nov. (1965) I. 281 In case of a Tumble it was utterly impossible to come alive to the bottom.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones IV. xii. viii. 255 The Landlord..became perfectly well acquainted with the Tumble of Sophia from her Horse. View more context for this quotation
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xvi. 116 The end..was always a plunge and tumble in the deeper snow.
1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus Poems lxviii. 60 As hill-born brook..O'er his moss-grown crags leaps with a tumble a-down.
1880 I. L. Bird Unbeaten Tracks Japan I. 101 Mountains..noisy with the dash and tumble of a thousand streams.
b. figurative. A fall, downfall.
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the mind > emotion > humility > humiliation > [noun] > fact of being humiliated
fallc1225
downcominga1398
descension?c1425
downcomea1522
descent1533
tumble1728
comedown1840
1728 C. Cibber Vanbrugh's Provok'd Husband ii. i. 31 The Demoivre Baronet had a bloody Tumble [at cards].
1765 G. Williams in J. H. Jesse G. Selwyn & his Contemp. (1843) I. 404 Pembroke gave him such a tumble the other night, by telling him Mr. Pitt would no more trust him than his postilion, that [etc.].
1833 T. Hook Parson's Daughter III. x. 254 Our unlooked-for tumble [from high estate].
1886 Pall Mall Gaz. 8 Oct. 11/2 There will be a terrible tumble in the price of American oil in Europe.
1893 R. L. Stevenson Catriona xxvi. 313 Here were all my dreams come to a sad tumble.
c. In phrase rough and tumble adv., n., and adj.
d. to take a tumble (to oneself): to realize the facts of one's situation; to wake up to something, to tumble. slang (originally U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > find out, discover [verb (transitive)] > become aware of
discover1585
awaken1768
tumble1846
to awake to1872
to take a tumble (to oneself)1877
1877 Chicago Street Gaz. 20 Oct. 1/2 May Willard, why don't you take a tumble to yourself and not be trying to put on so much style around the St. Mark's Hotel, for very near all of the boys are on to you.
1928 F. Hurst President is Born xiv. 182 An iron negro boy, with a hitching ring in his fist, stood..at the curb... Once, some town~wag..had hung a pasteboard tag about his neck, ‘Take a tumble to yourself, Joe.’
1944 Living off Land: Man. Bushcraft v. 106 At one goldfield where malaria broke out virulently no one took a tumble why for a long time.
1949 J. R. Cole It was so Late 65 The woman, taking a tumble to our set up, gave me the come on.
1959 M. Gee in C. K. Stead N.Z. Short Stories (1966) 2nd Ser. 267 After a while I give up, and I take a tumble to what's happening. I'm getting the bum's rush.
1973 ‘J. Patrick’ Glasgow Gang Observed viii. 79 Ma wee brother will learn sense; he'll take a tumble tae hissel'.
e. A sign of recognition or acknowledgement, a response; chiefly in to give a tumble. U.S. slang.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous act or expression > [noun] > greeting or salutation
greetingc900
salus?c1225
hailingc1275
saluingc1374
salutationc1384
halsing1387
callinga1400
hailsinga1400
salutea1400
saluec1430
saluting1533
greeta1592
regreets1600
salvo1653
salvediction1668
hello1854
mihi1869
tumble1921
big-up1992
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous act or expression > use courteous actions or expressions to [verb (transitive)] > greet or salute > in return
resalute1493
countersalue1575
regreet1586
requite1590
acknowledge1593
to give a tumble1921
1921 H. C. Witwer Leather Pushers xi. 282 Neither of 'em give him a tumble.
1934 J. O'Hara Appointment in Samarra (1935) vii. 208 I went in his office and started kidding around... I noticed I wasn't getting a tumble from him, so I finally broke down and asked him, I said what was the matter.
1935 D. Runyon in Cosmopolitan Jan. 160/3 He never lets on he knows me, and naturally I do not give Mr. Labez any tumble whatever.
1953 N.Y. Times Bk. Rev. 8 Feb. 17 If the right boy won't give you [sc. a girl] a tumble, you've got a problem.
1976 Washington Post 19 Apr. c3/6 Der Bingle took a subway ride in New York over the weekend and not a soul gave him a tumble. Bing Crosby said he knew what it meant to be just another straphanger.
3. Tumbled condition; disorder, confusion, disturbance; a confused or tangled heap.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > disorder > [noun]
derayc1300
disray13..
disordinancec1374
unordaininga1382
perturbationa1398
disarrayc1410
misordera1513
disorder1530
confusionc1540
mistemper1549
indisposition1598
ataxy1615
disordination1626
indigestion1630
tumble1634
discomposure1641
incomposure1644
dyscrasy1647
dislocation1659
disarrayment1661
disjuncture1683
rack and manger1687
rantum-scantum1695
derangement1737
disarrangement1790
misarray1810
havoc1812
unhingement1817
mingle-mangleness1827
bedevilment1843
higgledy-piggledyness1854
ramshackledom1897
inchoateness1976
the world > relative properties > order > disorder > confusion or disorder > [noun] > a confused assemblage or mixture
mishmashc1475
rabblement1539
mingle-mangle1549
bumble broth1572
bumble-bath1595
mash1601
colluvies1647
bumble1648
farrago1650
higgledy-piggledy1659
jumble1661
farrage1698
tumble1755
pie1837
Sargasso Sea1855
wirrwarra1866
chop suey1888
dog's breakfast1892
dog's dinner1902
sargasso1934
paella1939
1634 T. Jackson Knowledg of Christ Jesus vii. xxxii. §4 Some authority in all this tumble did still remain in the tribe of Judah.
1641 W. Laud Wks. (1853) VI. 88 After much tumble, a major part of the votes made choice of me.
1755 H. Walpole Lett. (1846) III. 129 I could not expect that any drawing could give a full idea of the..masterly tumble of the feathers [of Walpole's eagle].
1762 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Painting II. i. 81 Rubens was never greater than in landscape; the tumble of his rocks and trees..show a variety of genius.
1869 R. D. Blackmore Lorna Doone II. iii. 38 Glad..that his story might get out of the tumble which all our talk had made in it.
1903 Westm. Gaz. 21 Mar. 5/1 The moorhen..swimming out from the overhanging tumble of bush and bramble.
4. slang. An act of sexual intercourse; a woman giving opportunity for this; chiefly in to give (or get) a tumble.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > [noun] > sexual intercourse > an act of
swivec1560
fall1594
sleep1612
fuck1663
merry bout1780
stroke1785
screw?c1845
charver1846
fuckeea1866
sex act1888
frigc1890
grind1893
mount1896
poke1902
tumble1903
screwing1904
ride1905
roll1910
trick1926
lay1932
jump1934
bang1937
knock1937
shag1937
a roll in the hay1945
boff1956
naughty1959
root1961
shtup1964
home run1967
seeing to1970
legover1975
bonk1978
zatch1980
boink1989
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > engage in sexual activity with [verb (transitive)] > have sexual intercourse with
mingeOE
haveOE
knowc1175
ofliec1275
to lie with (or by)a1300
knowledgec1300
meetc1330
beliea1350
yknowc1350
touchc1384
deala1387
dightc1386
usea1387
takec1390
commona1400
to meet witha1400
servea1400
occupy?a1475
engender1483
jangle1488
to be busy with1525
to come in1530
visitc1540
niggle1567
mow1568
to mix one's thigh with1593
do1594
grind1598
pepper1600
yark1600
tumble1603
to taste of1607
compressc1611
jumble1611
mix?1614
consort?1615
tastea1616
bumfiddle1630
ingressa1631
sheet1637
carnal1643
night-work1654
bump1669
bumble1680
frig?c1680
fuck1707
stick1707
screw1719
soil1722
to do over1730
shag1770
hump1785
subagitatec1830
diddle1879
to give (someone) onec1882
charver1889
fuckeec1890
plugc1890
dick1892
to make a baby1911
to know (a person) in the biblical sense1912
jazz1920
rock1922
yentz1924
roll1926
to make love1927
shtupa1934
to give (or get) a tumble1934
shack1935
bang1937
to have it off1937
rump1937
tom1949
to hop into bed (with)1951
ball1955
to make it1957
plank1958
score1960
naughty1961
pull1965
pleasurea1967
to have away1968
to have off1968
dork1970
shaft1970
bonk1975
knob1984
boink1985
fand-
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual partner > [noun] > specifically female
boff1956
root1961
poke1968
tumble1970
1903 J. S. Farmer & W. E. Henley Slang VII. ii. 224/2 To do a tumble (of women) = to lie down to a man.
1934 H. Miller Tropic of Cancer 297 She's a big, healthy bitch... I wouldn't mind giving her a tumble.
1954 J. Trench Dishonoured Bones iii. 110 He was..giving la Vitrey a tumble somewhere.
1970 ‘J. Bonett’ & ‘E. Bonett’ Sound of Murder xiii. 172 Most men think that a woman who has been loved by a married man is an easy tumble.
1976 P. Cave High Flying Birds iii. 45 ‘Back-pay’, he said, ‘plus an advance on a quick tumble tomorrow night.’
Draft additions March 2009
Compounds tumble turn n. Swimming a type of turn in which the swimmer performs a manoeuvre resembling a forward somersault in order to push off from the side of the pool using the feet.
ΚΠ
1946 N.Y. Times 30 Mar. 18/46 Howard Patterson, making a fast tumble turn, struck the side of the pool.
1993 B. Caswell Mike xxii. 76 When I went into my tumble turn, I was half a length behind, but coming out of it, we were level.
2003 C. Forde Fat Boy Swim xxi. 175 Good tumble-turn at the end of the first length and the biggest push-off I've ever done.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1915; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
tumblev.
/ˈtʌmb(ə)l/ I. To dance or roll in a tumbling manner.
1. intransitive †To dance with posturing, balancing, contortions, and the like (obsolete); to perform as an acrobat; esp. to execute leaps, springs, somersaults, and similar feats.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > dancing > types of dance or dancing > acrobatic dancing > [verb (intransitive)]
tumbc1000
tumble1303
limbo1956
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > upward movement > leaping, springing, or jumping > leap, spring, or jump [verb (intransitive)] > somersault
tumbc1000
tumble1303
to top over tail1545
somerset1599
pitch-pole1682
topple1802
somersault1858
sunfish1923
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 2820 Eroud swore To here þat tumbled yn þe flore, Þat [etc.].
a1350 St. Thomas 40 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (1881) 20 A woman was þore in þe hall Þat tumbild fast bifor þam all.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 13140 His broþer doghtir..Balid wele and tumblid [Vesp. tumbel, Fairf. tumble, Trin. Cambr. tomblyng] wid al.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 763/2 I tumble, as a tombler dothe, je tumbe... This felowe can tomble well.
1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies vi. xxviii. 493 Their great agilitie, in leaping, vaulting and tumbling.
1768 S. Johnson in Boswell Life Johnson (1906) I. 343 A man who is paid for tumbling upon his hands.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. v. 106 The boy..having a natural taste for tumbling was now standing on his head.
2. † b. reflexive in same sense. Obsolete.
a. intransitive. To roll about on the ground, or in the water or air; to wallow; also to throw oneself about in a restless way on a bed or couch; to toss. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > irregular movement or agitation > move irregularly or be agitated [verb (intransitive)] > roll or tumble about
wevea1300
wallow1362
walterc1400
wentle1481
tumble1549
thrash1821
thresh1823
14.. 26 Pol. Poems xxv. 223 The pyt of hell..Where synful soules tumble and raue.
1549 J. Olde in M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. II. Ephes. Prol. sig. .v Yf thou..wylt tomble and walowe styll in wylful ignoraunce, and errour.
1609 W. Shakespeare Pericles v. 65 I saw the Porpas how he bounst and tumbled . View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) i. iv. 17 Let's graunt it is not Amisse to tumble on the bed of Ptolomy. View more context for this quotation
a1684 R. Leighton Wks. (1835) I. 116 Shall they then, who are purified..return to live among the swine, and tumble with them in the puddle?
1745 P. Thomas True Jrnl. Voy. South-Seas 20 Seals..leaping and tumbling in the Water.
1819 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto II cxxxviii. 188 Haidee..sadly toss'd and tumbled, And started from her sleep.
1841 C. Dickens Barnaby Rudge v. 262 He was very restless..and for some hours tossed and tumbled.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > irregular movement or agitation > move irregularly or be agitated [verb (reflexive)] > toss about or wallow
walterc1380
welter1535
tumble1577
swash1583
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry iii. f. 122 A place meete for their wallowing, wherein..they may tumble them selues.
1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique i. xvi. 106 The goose..doth loue to swim, and to coole, plunge, and tumble her-selfe euerie day.
1661 R. Lovell Πανζωορυκτολογια, sive Panzoologicomineralogia 95 When hungry they tumble themselves in red earth, and so lie as if dead.., and when the birds of prey come to feed on them, they suddainly take them.
c. intransitive. spec. of a pigeon: To throw itself over backwards during its flight; cf. tumbler n. 4; in gunnery, of a projectile, to turn end over end in its flight.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > perching birds > order Columbiformes (pigeons, etc.) > [verb (intransitive)] > other actions (of pigeon)
tumble1698
rump1735
field1868
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 116 Pigeons tumbling in the Air.
1735 J. Moore Columbarium 40 When they are up at their Pitch, the better Sort seldom or never tumble.
1868 C. Darwin Variation Animals & Plants I. v. 151 The Common English Tumblers have exactly the same habits as the Persian Tumbler, but tumble better.
1906 Westm. Gaz. 4 Oct. 5/3 Erosion..not sufficiently serious to..affect the flight of the projectiles, none of which were observed to ‘tumble’.
II. Senses relating to falling or stumbling.reflexive.1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Luke iii. f. 47 No manne should presse or toumble himselfe into such an high office.1884 Ld. Tennyson Becket i. i. 38 The hog hath tumbled himself into some corner.
3.
a. intransitive. To fall; esp. to fall in a helpless way, as from stumbling or violence; to be precipitated, fall headlong; also said of a stream falling in a cataract.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > falling > fall [verb (intransitive)] > fall steeply or swiftly
of-fallOE
tumblec1330
stoopa1400
plumba1425
rushc1440
to ding downa1500
precipitate1608
plummet1845
nosedive1920
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 70 He stombled at a nayle, Into þe waise..he tombled top ouer taile.
a1400 K. Alis. (Bodl.) 2465 Men miȝtten sen..Heuedes tumblen guttes drawe Many body ouerþrowe.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur x. lvi. 507 He tombled doune of his hors in a swoune.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. cccxxiiiv They..tomble of the bridge into the Rhine.
1610 G. Fletcher Christs Victorie 61 From heav'n it tombled to the deepe.
1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant ii. 74 One of the gang tumbled off of his Mule, and had almost broken his Neck.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis viii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 443 The fix'd Foundations of the Rock Gave way:..Tumbling it choak'd the Flood.
1796 J. Morse Amer. Universal Geogr. (new ed.) I. 449 In passing through this hilly country, it tumbles over many falls.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. xiv. 401 He opened the barrel; and from among a heap of shells out tumbled a stout halter.
1878 T. H. Huxley Physiography (ed. 2) 132 Fragments of rock..tumble down into the stream.
b. intransitive. To fall prone, fall to the ground; often const. down, over. Also, to stumble by tripping over an object.
ΘΚΠ
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
to light lowc1225
wendc1300
to seek to the earth or groundc1330
tumblea1375
stretchc1400
to take a fall1413
to blush to the eartha1500
to come down1603
to go to grassa1640
to be floored1826
to take a spilla1845
to come (fall, get) a cropper1858
to hunt grass1872
to come (also have) a buster1874
to hit the deck1954
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > causing to come or go down > cause to come or go down [verb (transitive)] > throw down > in a confused heap
tumblea1375
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 3866 He tit ouer his hors tayl tombled ded to þerþe.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 3388 But our on [= unless one of us] titly tumbel trowe me neuer after.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xiii. 29 Thar mycht man..se tummyll knychtis and stedis.
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) xxii. 478 Suche a stroke..that he made him tomble over & over at his fete.
1732 T. Lediard tr. J. Terrasson Life Sethos II. ix. 325 The force..only made him tumble the sooner.
1843 G. Borrow Bible in Spain II. vi. 114 The mule of the peasant tumbled prostrate.
c. intransitive. Of a building or structure: To fall in ruins or fragments; to collapse. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > deteriorate in condition [verb (intransitive)] > be dilapidated or ruined > fall into ruins
to-reosea900
fallOE
tumblea1400
ruinate1562
lapse1620
dilapidate1712
fail1776
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > falling > fall [verb (intransitive)] > fall down or from erect position > fall in pieces or ruins
to-fallc893
fallOE
to fall downc1175
tumblea1400
sinka1450
ruin1531
to fall in1611
a1400–50 Alexander 552 All þe erd euyn ouer sa egirly schakis, Þat teldis, templis, & touris tomble on hepis.
a1539 in J. C. Atkinson Cartularium Abbathiae de Rievalle (1889) 337 A steple tomylled down The tymber all to brokyn.
a1682 Sir T. Browne Certain Misc. Tracts (1683) ix. 156 Obelisks have their term, and Pyramids will tumble.
1820 G. Belzoni Narr. Egypt & Nubia iii. 385 There are a great number of houses, half tumbled down.
1880 M. E. Braddon Just as I Am xix We should tumble to pieces without you.
d. intransitive. To fall rapidly in value, amount, or price: said esp. of stocks. Commercial slang.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > monetary value > price > fluctuation in price > [verb (intransitive)] > decline in price or fall > suddenly or rapidly
break1870
plunge1870
tumble1886
slump1888
skid1976
1886 Pall Mall Gaz. 8 Nov. 2/1 Rents had tumbled from 18 to 30 per cent., were likely to tumble still more.
1895 Daily News 21 Dec. 5/4 As stock after stock tumbled the shouting became a prolonged roar.
e. Of laundry: to be tossed about in the revolving drum of a tumble dryer (or washing-machine).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > washing > washing clothes and textile articles > wash clothes [verb (intransitive)] > be tumble-dried
tumble1970
1970 Which? Aug. 240/1 Too much foam will certainly stop your clothes from tumbling freely and so getting clean.
1975 C. Weston Susannah Screaming (1976) i. 9 Rees..watched his laundry tumbling inside the barrel of the dryer.
4. figurative.1549 M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. II. 1 Pet. iv. f. xiv God forbydde, that I..shoulde be tombled backe agayne to this worldes delices.1665 S. Patrick Parable of Pilgrim xi. 65 They tumbled themselves into an Abysse of misery and woe irrecoverable.1812 Ld. Byron Childe Harold: Cantos I & II i. lii. 34 He whose nod Has tumbled feebler despots from their sway.1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xxxv. 317 It is she who has tumbled my hopes and all my pride down.
a. transitive. To cause to fall suddenly or violently; to throw or cast down.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > causing to come or go down > cause to come or go down [verb (transitive)] > bring to the ground/lay low
layc888
afelleOE
to throw downa1250
groundc1275
to lay to ground, to earth (Sc. at eird)c1275
stoopc1275
evena1382
abatec1390
to bring downa1400
falla1400
welt?a1400
throwa1450
tumble1487
succumb1490
strewa1500
vaila1592
flat1607
level1614
floor1642
to fetch down1705
drop1726
supplant1751
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > causing to come or go down > cause to come or go down [verb (transitive)] > bring to the ground/lay low > specifically a person or animal
to lay lowc1405
tumble1487
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) vi. 255 He tumlit [1489 Adv. tumblyt] doun on þaim þe stane.
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) xxiii. 496 Whan bayarde was thus tombled in the ryver, he sanke vnto the botome of it.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) clix. 611 With all his strengthe he tombelyd Barnarde ouer the bourde into the water.
1594 W. Shakespeare Titus Andronicus ii. iii. 176 Oh..tumble me into some lothsome pit. View more context for this quotation
1623 R. Carpenter Conscionable Christian 72 Let Romish Jezebel..not be spared, tumble her out at window.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth III. 68 It [sc. the chamois] drives at the hunter with its head, and often tumbles him down the neighbouring precipice.
1889 F. E. Gretton Memory's Harkback 36 He collared one of the men, and tumbled him over the balusters.
b. To cause to fall prostrate; to overthrow.
ΘΚΠ
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 fall on the ground
tumble1534
grassa1670
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > causing to come or go down > cause to come or go down [verb (transitive)] > capsize or upset
overcastc1230
overturnc1300
overthrowc1330
to-turna1382
overwhelm?a1400
tilta1400
tipa1400
welt?a1400
overtiltc1400
tirvec1420
reverse?a1439
devolvec1470
subvert1479
welter?a1505
renverse1521
tumble1534
verse1556
upturn1567
overwhirl1577
rewalt1587
subverse1590
overset1599
overtumble1600
walt1611
to fetch up1615
ramvert1632
treveer1636
transvolve1644
capsize1788
upset1806
keel1828
overwelt1828
pitch-pole1851
purl1856
1534 T. More Treat. Passion in Wks. 1294/2 Thys fierce furious kynge..was with the waues of the water..ouer throwen and tumbled downe..and wretchedlye drowned.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 7243 Achilles..Mony Troiens ouer~tyrnyt, tumblit to dethe.
1625 T. Godwin Moses & Aaron v. vii. 246 One of the witnesses tumbled him by a stroke vpon the loynes.
1700 J. Dryden Chaucer's Palamon & Arcite iii, in Fables 73 King Lycurgus..was tumbl'd on the Plain.
a1849 J. Keegan Legends & Poems (1907) 59 Come boys, have at him,..now's the time to tumble him.
1895 Outing 27 219/2 I now had him [the bull] in plain view, broadside on, and tumbled him in his tracks.
c. To throw down and destroy (a structure); to overthrow, demolish, reduce to ruins. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > breaking or cracking > break [verb (transitive)] > break down, demolish, or ruin
spillc950
fellOE
to cast downc1230
destroy1297
to turn up?c1335
to throw down1340
to ding downc1380
to break downa1382
subverta1382
underturn1382
to take downc1384
falla1400
to make (a building, etc.) plain (with the earth)a1400
voida1400
brittenc1400
to burst downc1440
to pull downc1450
pluck1481
tumble1487
wreck1510
defacea1513
confound1523
raze1523
arase1530
to beat downc1540
ruinate1548
demolish1560
plane1562
to shovel down1563
race?1567
ruin1585
rape1597
unwall1598
to bluster down16..
raise1603
level1614
debolish1615
unbuilda1616
to make smooth work of1616
slight1640
to knock down1776
squabash1822
collapse1883
to turn over1897
mash1924
rubble1945
to take apart1978
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > causing to come or go down > cause to come or go down [verb (transitive)] > capsize or upset > overthrow in ruins or to destruction
to-warpc888
overwarpeOE
to cast downc1230
to throw down1340
everse?a1425
thringc1480
tumble1487
evert1533
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) ix. 452 Þe towris euerilkane And vallis gert he tummyll doune.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 4877 I put not vnpossible ȝon place for to take..And all the toures of the toun tumbell to ground.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 (1623) iii. i. 30 Vnruly Winde..which..tombles [1598 topples] downe Steeples, and mosse-growne Towers.
1696 T. Brookhouse Temple Opened Pref. sig. Aiv To undermine the Foundation, and to tumble down the whole Frame.
1809 W. Irving Hist. N.Y. II. vi. viii. 156 The noblest monuments which pride has ever reared.., the hand of time shall shortly tumble into promiscuous ruins.
1875 W. D. Whitney Life & Growth Lang. ii. 30 Some antagonist or successor, perhaps,..tumbles into ruins the whole magnificent structure of fancied truth.
5. To cause to fall in a confused heap; to throw down, in, out, etc. without order or regularity; to mix up in confusion, jumble together. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > disorder > confusion or disorder > confuse or disorder [verb (transitive)] > mix up in confusion
broil1401
blunderc1440
jumble1542
mingle1548
tumble1562
mumble1588
pell-mell1606
fubble1611
society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > building or providing with specific parts > build or provide with specific parts [verb (transitive)] > provide with beams or supports > frame a joist
tumble1821
1562 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxf. (1880) 291 To be shaked and tombled together [in balloting].
1601 J. Marston et al. Iacke Drums Entertainm. i. sig. B And after death..We all together shall be tumbled vp, into one bagge.
1663 B. Gerbier Counsel to Builders 26 Car-men turne or tumble down their Bricks.
1787 J. Hawkins Life Johnson 99 He would not suffer any one to approach, except the compositor or Cave's boy for matter, which, as fast as he composed it, he tumbled out at the door.
1821 C. Lamb Mackery End in Elia 1st Ser. She was tumbled early..into a spacious closet of good old English reading.
1869 H. F. Tozer Res. Highlands of Turkey I. 312 He tumbled on to my plate..half a dishful of mulberries.
6. To propel or drive headlong, or with a falling, stumbling, or rolling movement; to precipitate; to throw or thrust roughly or forcibly; to toss, pitch, bundle. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impelling or driving > impel or drive [verb (transitive)] > with tumbling or rolling movement
tumble1509
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1845) xiv. 52 O thoughtful herte, tombled all about Upon the se of stormy ignoraunce.
1553 T. Wilson Arte Rhetorique (1580) 109 We..tell one thyng after an other, from tyme to tyme, not tomblyng one tale in an others necke.
1605 A. Warren Poore Mans Passions sig. E2 These Sysiphusians haue a stone to turne, A wandring thought to tumble vp and downe.
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) iii. iv. 176 A little snow, tumbled about, Anon becomes a Mountaine. View more context for this quotation
1684 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress 2nd Pt. ii. 23 They were greatly tumbled up and down in their minds, and knew not what to do. View more context for this quotation
1757 T. Smollett Reprisal i. i To be tossed and tumbled about like a football.
1768 H. Brooke Fool of Quality III. xvi. 173 I was bound.., and then tumbled with kicks..along the deck.
1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian iv, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. I. 118 Effie used to help me to tumble the bundles o' barkened leather up and down.
1841 T. Carlyle On Heroes iii. 176 He [sc. Shakspere]..tumbles and tosses him [sc. his butt] in all sorts of horse-play.
7.
a. intransitive. To move or pass with a motion as if falling or stumbling; to move precipitately; to proceed hastily, without order or premeditation; to bowl, bundle, roll, rush. Also figurative. Now colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swift movement in specific manner > move swiftly in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > move with urgent speed > go in disorderly haste
tumble1590
cuffle1596
bundle1787
scuffle1838
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. xi. sig. Zv A great water flood,..tombling low From the high mountaines.
a1592 R. Greene Hist. Orlando Furioso (1594) sig. Biiiv When I take my trunchion in my fist, A Scepter then comes tumbling in my thoughts.
1683 J. Bunyan Greatness of Soul in Wks. (1853) I. 141 What was the cause..? Why, their profits came tumbling in.
1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 552. ⁋1 I was tumbling about the town the other day in a hackney-coach.
1798 Hull Advertiser 10 Nov. 1/4 We..have been tumbling about in very bad weather.
1843 C. J. Lever Jack Hinton xiii Tumble into bed, and go to sleep as fast as you can.
1850 F. E. Smedley Frank Fairlegh i. 6 Hastily tumbling into my clothes,..I rushed down stairs.
b. to tumble up: to make haste, originally (Nautical) from below deck. slang.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > rapidity or speed of action or operation > proceed rapidly [verb (intransitive)] > hasten or hurry
hiec1250
skelta1400
hasty?a1425
hasten1534
festinate1652
to look sharp1680
to make play1799
hurry-scurry1809
to tumble up1826
crowd1838
rush1859
hurry1871
to get a move on1888
hurry and scurry1889
to buck up1890
to get a hump on1892
to get a wiggle on1896
to shake a leg1904
to smack it about1914
flurry1917
to step on it (her)1923
to make it snappy1926
jildi1930
to get an iggri on1946
ert-
1826 W. N. Glascock Naval Sketch-bk. I. 8 The command was repeated by the boatswain and his mates, who were piping and roaring down the hatchways—‘Tumble up, tumble up from below.’
1832 F. Marryat Newton Forster II. iv. 48 Tumble up smartly, my lads.
1839 C. Dickens Nicholas Nickleby viii. 65 ‘Now, Nickleby, come; tumble up, will you?’ Nicholas..‘tumbled up’ at once, and proceeded to dress himself.
1842 J. F. Cooper Wing-and-Wing I. viii. 125 This sight produced a great commotion in the ship, even the watch below ‘tumbling up’, to get another sight of a craft so renowned.
1858 A. Trollope Three Clerks II. ii. 40 ‘Mr. Tudor to attend in the board-room, immediately,’ said a fat messenger... ‘All right,’ said Charley—‘I'll tumble up and be with them in ten seconds.’
8. transitive. To turn over as in examination or search; hence figurative to examine cursorily. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > investigate, examine [verb (transitive)] > look through, examine
oversee1348
searcha1387
laita1400
overlooka1400
to look overc1400
to run through ——c1449
oversearch1532
overview1549
tumble1597
coursea1616
perquest1892
1597 T. Morley Plaine & Easie Introd. Musicke Pref. What labour it was to tomble, tosse, and search so manie bookes.
1633 G. Herbert Church Porch in Temple xxv Look in thy chest;..And tumble up and down what thou find'st there.
1652 C. Cotterell tr. G. de Costes de La Calprenède Cassandra (1676) iii. 49 Tumbling over a thousand several designs in his head.
1737 S. Berington Mem. G. di Lucca To Rdr. p. xiii The Custom-House Officers at Marseilles..tumbled over his Effects at a very rude rate.
1823 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto XIII cii. 106 The elderly walked through the library, And tumbled books.
9.
a. To have sexual intercourse with. slang.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > engage in sexual activity with [verb (transitive)] > have sexual intercourse with
mingeOE
haveOE
knowc1175
ofliec1275
to lie with (or by)a1300
knowledgec1300
meetc1330
beliea1350
yknowc1350
touchc1384
deala1387
dightc1386
usea1387
takec1390
commona1400
to meet witha1400
servea1400
occupy?a1475
engender1483
jangle1488
to be busy with1525
to come in1530
visitc1540
niggle1567
mow1568
to mix one's thigh with1593
do1594
grind1598
pepper1600
yark1600
tumble1603
to taste of1607
compressc1611
jumble1611
mix?1614
consort?1615
tastea1616
bumfiddle1630
ingressa1631
sheet1637
carnal1643
night-work1654
bump1669
bumble1680
frig?c1680
fuck1707
stick1707
screw1719
soil1722
to do over1730
shag1770
hump1785
subagitatec1830
diddle1879
to give (someone) onec1882
charver1889
fuckeec1890
plugc1890
dick1892
to make a baby1911
to know (a person) in the biblical sense1912
jazz1920
rock1922
yentz1924
roll1926
to make love1927
shtupa1934
to give (or get) a tumble1934
shack1935
bang1937
to have it off1937
rump1937
tom1949
to hop into bed (with)1951
ball1955
to make it1957
plank1958
score1960
naughty1961
pull1965
pleasurea1967
to have away1968
to have off1968
dork1970
shaft1970
bonk1975
knob1984
boink1985
fand-
1603 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iv. v. 62 Quoth she, before you tumbled me, You promised me to wed.
1697 J. Vanbrugh Provok'd Wife v. 68 To deliver up her fair Body, to be tumbled and mumbled, by..Heartfree.
1767 T. Bridges Homer Travestie (ed. 2) I. i. 8 What priest besides thyself e'er grumbl'd To have his daughter tightly tumbl'd?
1922 J. Joyce Ulysses ii. xv. [Circe] 482 Beware of the flapper and bogus mournful... Tumble her.
1971 ‘R. Macdonald’ Underground Man xxxii. 225 He had tumbled the prettiest girl, and got her with child, and Albert and Fritz had taken the rap for it.
1973 Guardian 21 June 10/1 A hip young girl who tumbles him when his wife is away.
1976 ‘R. Lewis’ Witness my Death v. 166 Tommy Elias had tumbled the schoolgirl in the ferns.
b. To handle roughly or indelicately; to touse, tousle; to upset the arrangement of (anything neat or orderly); to disorder, rumple; to disarrange by tossing: e.g. to tumble bedclothes, a bed, or dress.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > action of caressing > caress [verb (transitive)] > handle rudely or indelicately
ruffle1607
mouse1608
touse1624
mousle1664
tumble1715
tousle1839
1715 Lady M. W. Montagu Tuesday in Town Eclogues Her night-cloaths tumbled with resistless grace.
1716 B. Church Entertaining Passages Philip's War ii. 62 The ground being much tumbled with them behind the said Stands.
a1732 J. Gay Rehearsal at Goatham (1754) i How frightfully he hath tumbled me.
1825 W. Scott Talisman ix, in Tales Crusaders III. 222 Lay me the couch more fairly, it is tumbled like a stormy sea.
10.
a. intransitive. figurative or in figurative context; esp. To come by chance, stumble, blunder into, on, upon.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > chance or risk [verb (transitive)] > come upon by chance
tumble1565
to fall with ——1646
pop1668
to luck upon1670
to run into ——1895
1565 T. Stapleton Fortresse of Faith f. 56v A sorte of Christians, called papistes, which were tombled themselues in idolatry, blindnesse, and superstition.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. i. 38 [We] tumbled in by chance, Alla capello Ruosso.
1707 E. Ward Wooden World Dissected 90 If he had not tumbled into a Ship, he had long ago dropt from the Gallows.
1874 L. Carr Judith Gwynne I. ii. 47 After hunting for you everywhere..here I tumble on you amidst the howling wilderness of Furrowshire.
1903 J. Morley Life Gladstone I. iii. viii. 428 The impossible parliament had tumbled into a great war.
b. figurative. To understand something not clearly expressed; to perceive or apprehend a hidden design or signal. Const. to, that. slang. Also transitive, to detect, see through.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > understand [verb (intransitive)] > reach understanding of
reach1582
tumble1846
to catch on1882
waken1899
to wise up1905
to tune in1926
to cotton on1929
plug1948
latch1954
the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > find out, discover [verb (transitive)] > become aware of
discover1585
awaken1768
tumble1846
to awake to1872
to take a tumble (to oneself)1877
the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > finding or discovery > find or discover [verb (transitive)] > detect > detect (in) an imposture
to see through ——a1450
to find out1545
detect1581
spot1880
tumble1901
rumble1912
1846 ‘Lord Chief Baron’ Swell's Night Guide (new ed.) 58 I..officed Bet, she tumbled to the fake, and stalled off to the dossery.
1851 H. Mayhew London Labour I. 15/1 The high words in a tragedy we call jaw-breakers, and say we can't tumble to that barrikin.
1889 Opelousas (Louisiana) Democrat 4 Feb. 3/4 The clerk smiled rather wickedly..but I didn't tumble worth a cent.
1889 H. O'Reilly & J. Y. Nelson Fifty Years on Trail 375 I didn't tumble to this for a long time.
1901 ‘J. Flynt’ World of Graft iii. 104 Women..tumble more guns 'n all the coppers in existence.
1926 Variety 29 Dec. 7/4 The pincher would never tumble that ‘nice people’ meant an act that kicked in more than the usual vaudeville agent's legitimate commission.
1936 ‘G. Ingram’ Muffled Man iii. 49 You can't go on for ever at any game, and not get tumbled some time or other.
1938 F. D. Sharpe Sharpe of Flying Squad xxvi. 262 We thought you wouldn't tumble us, Guv'nor.
1962 New Statesman 21 Dec. 899/1 By the time you tumble that your drum has been turned over, we're miles away.
1974 Times 7 Feb. 3/7 John Rodger..heard the radio and said: ‘They have tumbled us.’
1981 J. Barnett Firing Squad vi. 57 Have to have words with Simonson, in case he has tumbled the tattoo.
c. To fall in with, agree to; to take a liking or fancy to. slang.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > liking or favourable regard > have liking for [verb (transitive)] > take a liking to
fain1483
fancy1545
conceit1589
to take kindly to1733
to take to ——1748
to take a shine to1839
tumble1887
to cotton on to1907
1887 E. J. Goodman Too Curious xvii He did not like the idea at first; but..he tumbled to it at last.
1892 Daily News 21 Apr. 2/1 But the British public, in the slang of the day, ‘tumbles’ to a man who refuses anything good.
III. Technical senses, involving sloping or tumbling.
11. intransitive. Of the sides of a ship: to incline or slope inwards, to contract above the point of extreme breadth; to batter. Usually tumble home. Opposed to flare v. 4a. Also transferred.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > vessel of specific construction or shape > be of specific construction or shape [verb (intransitive)] > have upper works narrower or wider than lower
to house in1627
flare1644
tumblea1687
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > parts of vessels > body of vessel > side(s) of vessel > [verb (intransitive)] > incline inwards
tumble homea1687
a1687 W. Petty Treat. Naval Philos. i. ii, in T. Hale Acct. New Inventions (1691) 124 Let the supernatant sides of a Ship so much tumble..as that the said sides may remain perpendicular when the Ship stoops.
1711 W. Sutherland Ship-builders Assistant 165 Tumbling home; when the Ship-side declines from a Perpendicular upwards, or, as some call it, houses in.
1761 H. Walpole Let. 28 Apr. in Corr. (1941) IX. 363 Old Newcastle, whose teeth are tumbled out and his mouth tumbled in.
1848 T. White Ship Building 39 The upper works usually incline towards the middle line, or as it is termed ‘tumble home’.
12. transitive. Carpentry. See quot.
ΚΠ
1823 P. Nicholson New Pract. Builder 120 Tumbling in a Joist, is to frame a joist between two timbers, of which the sides, which ought to be vertical or square to the upper edges, are oblique to these edges.
1856 S. C. Brees Terms & Rules Archit. (at cited word) The purlines are sometimes tumbled in..between the sides of the principals of a roof.
13. Mechanics. To mix, cleanse, or polish in a tumbling-box. Cf. tumbler n. 13e.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > working with specific materials > working with metal > work with metal [verb (transitive)] > other metalworking processes
burnishc1325
rockc1400
leadc1440
braze1552
run1650
stratify1669
shingle1674
snarl1688
plate1706
bar1712
strake1778
shear1837
pile1839
matt1854
reek1869
bloom1875
siliconize1880
tumble1883
rustproof1886
detin1909
blank1914
anodize1931
roll1972
1883 W. H. Wahl Galvanoplastic Manip. lxvi. 529 Small castings can be ‘tumbled’, and thus deprived of much of their adhering scale and sand.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1915; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
> see also
also refers to : tumble-comb. form
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n.1634
v.1303see also