stagger

¹stag·ger

verb \ˈsta-gər\

stag·geredstag·ger·ing \-g(ə-)riŋ\

Definition of STAGGER

intransitive verb

1

a : to reel from side to side : totter

b : to move on unsteadily <staggered toward the door>

2

: to waver in purpose or action : hesitate

3

: to rock violently <the ship staggered>

transitive verb

1

: to cause to doubt or hesitate : perplex

2

: to cause to reel or totter

3

: to arrange in any of various zigzags, alternations, or overlappings of position or time <stagger work shifts> <stagger teeth on a cutter>

— stag·ger·er \-gər-ər\ noun

Examples of STAGGER

1. She staggered over to the sofa.
2. A hard slap on the back staggered him.
3. It staggers me to see how much money they've spent on this project.
4. They staggered the runners' starting positions.

Origin of STAGGER

alteration of earlier stacker, from Middle English stakeren, from Old Norse stakra, frequentative of staka to push; perhaps akin to Old English staca stake — more at stake

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to STAGGER

Synonyms

careen, dodder, lurch, reel, teeter, totter, waddle

Antonyms

dive (in), plunge (in)

Related Words

rock, roll, seesaw, swag, sway, waver, weave, wobble (also wabble); barge, blunder, clomp, clump, flounder, galumph, lumber, lump, pound, scuff, scuffle, shamble, shuffle, stamp, stomp, stumble, tramp, tromp

Near Antonyms

decide; budge, stir; advance, continue

Rhymes with STAGGER

bagger, bragger, dagger, dragger, gagger, jagger, lagger, nagger, sagger, swagger, wagger

²stagger

noun

Definition of STAGGER

1

plural but sing or plural in constr : an abnormal condition of domestic animals associated with damage to the central nervous system and marked by incoordination and a reeling unsteady gait

2

: a reeling or unsteady gait or stance

3

: an arrangement in which the leading edge of the upper wing of a biplane is advanced over that of the lower

Examples of STAGGER

1. He walked with a slight stagger.

First Known Use of STAGGER

1577

Other Aeronautics/Aerospace Terms

airway, apron, corridor, dirigible, fishtail, flat-hat, vector

Rhymes with STAGGER

bagger, gagger, jagger, lagger, nagger, swagger, wagger

³stagger

adjective

Definition of STAGGER

: marked by an alternating or overlapping pattern

First Known Use of STAGGER

1918