v. & n.
v. 1 a intr. walk unsteadily, totter. b tr. cause to totter (was staggered by the blow). 2 a tr. shock, confuse; cause to hesitate or waver (the question staggered them; they were staggered at the suggestion). b intr. hesitate; waver in purpose. 3 tr. arrange (events, hours of work, etc.) so that they do not coincide. 4 tr. arrange (objects) so that they are not in line, esp.: a arrange (a road-crossing) so that the side-roads are not in line. b set (the spokes of a wheel) to incline alternately to right and left.
n. 1 a tottering movement. 2 (in pl.) a a disease of the brain and spinal cord esp. in horses and cattle, causing staggering. b giddiness. 3 an overhanging or slantwise or zigzag arrangement of like parts in a structure etc. staggerer n.
[ alt. of ME stacker (now dial.) f. ON stakra frequent. of staka push, stagger ]