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stunt¹

(stŭnt)

tr.v. stunt·ed, stunt·ing, stunts

1. To stop or slow (growth or development): Poor soil can stunt the growth of plants.

2. To stop or slow the growth or development of: Strong winds stunted the trees on the ridge.

1. One that stunts.

2. One that is stunted.

3. A plant disease that causes dwarfing.

[From Middle English stunnt, foolish, short-witted, short (influenced by Old Norse stuttr, short, dwarfish), from Old English stunt.]

stunted·ness n.

stunt²

(stŭnt)

1. A feat displaying unusual strength, skill, or daring.

2. Something done to attract attention or publicity.

intr.v. stunt·ed, stunt·ing, stunts

To perform stunts or a stunt.

[Origin unknown.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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