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View synonyms for stunt
stunt
1[ stuhnt ]
verb (used with object)
- to stop, slow down, or hinder the growth or development of; dwarf:
A harsh climate stunted the trees.
Brutal treatment in childhood stunted his personality.
noun
- a stop or hindrance in growth or development.
- arrested development.
- a plant or animal hindered from attaining its proper growth.
- Plant Pathology. a disease of plants, characterized by a dwarfing or stunting of the plant.
stunt
2[ stuhnt ]
noun
- a performance displaying a person's skill or dexterity, as in athletics; feat:
an acrobatic stunt.
- any remarkable feat performed chiefly to attract attention:
The kidnapping was said to be a publicity stunt.
verb (used without object)
- to do a stunt or stunts.
- Television Slang. to add specials, miniseries, etc., to a schedule of programs, especially so as to increase ratings.
verb (used with object)
- to use in doing stunts:
to stunt an airplane.
stunt
1/ stʌnt /
verb
- tr to prevent or impede the growth or development of (a plant, animal, etc)
noun
- the act or an instance of stunting
- a person, animal, or plant that has been stunted
stunt
2/ stʌnt /
noun
- an acrobatic, dangerous, or spectacular action
- an acrobatic or dangerous piece of action in a film or television programme
- anything spectacular or unusual done to gain publicity
verb
- intr to perform a stunt or stunts
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Derived Forms
- ˈstunted, adjective
- ˈstuntedness, noun
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Other Words From
- stunting·ly adverb
- stunty adjective
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Word History and Origins
Origin of stunt1
First recorded in 1575–85; verb use of dialect stunt “dwarfed, stubborn”; cognate with Middle High German stunz, Old Norse stuttr “short”; akin to stint 1
Origin of stunt2
An Americanism dating back to 1890–95; origin uncertain; perhaps a variant of stump ( def ) (in the sense “challenge; dare”)
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Word History and Origins
Origin of stunt1
C17 (as vb: to check the growth of): perhaps from C15 stont of short duration, from Old English stunt simple, foolish; sense probably influenced by Old Norse stuttr short in stature, dwarfed
Origin of stunt2
C19: US student slang, of unknown origin
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