STUMBLE

I. verb (~d; stumbling) Etymology: Middle English, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian dialect stumle to ~ Date: 14th century intransitive verb 1. to fall into sin or waywardness, to make an error ; blunder , to come to an obstacle to belief, to trip in walking or running, 3. to walk unsteadily or clumsily, to speak or act in a hesitant or faltering manner, 4. to come unexpectedly or by chance , to fall or move carelessly, transitive verb to cause to ~ ; trip , bewilder , confound , ~r noun stumblingly adverb II. noun Date: 1547 an act or instance of stumbling