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¹stagger

verb stag·ger \ˈsta-gər\

: to move or cause (someone) to move unsteadily from side to side

: to shock or surprise (someone) very much

: to arrange (things) in a series of different positions or times

stag·geredstag·ger·ing \-g(ə-)riŋ\

Full Definition of STAGGER

intransitive verb

a : to reel from side to side : totter

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

: to waver in purpose or action : hesitate

: to rock violently <the ship staggered>

transitive verb

: to cause to doubt or hesitate : perplex

: to cause to reel or totter

: 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

See stagger defined for English-language learners

See stagger defined for kids

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)

Rhymes with STAGGER

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

²stagger

noun

: an unsteady movement while walking or standing

Full Definition of STAGGER

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

: a reeling or unsteady gait or stance

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

See stagger defined for English-language learners

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

STAGGER Defined for Kids

¹stagger

verb stag·ger \ˈsta-gər\

stag·geredstag·ger·ing

Definition of STAGGER for Kids

: to move or cause to move unsteadily from side to side as if about to fall : reel <He staggered under the load's weight.>

: to cause or feel great surprise or shock <The news staggered me.>

: to arrange or be arranged in a zigzag but balanced way <She stared at the dark brown and purple ridges staggered in the distance … — Pam Muñoz Ryan, Esperanza Rising>