I. ˈstəm-bəl verb
( stum·bled ; stum·bling -b(ə-)liŋ)
Etymology: Middle English, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian dialect stumle to stumble
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to fall into sin or waywardness
b. : to make an error : blunder
c. : to come to an obstacle to belief
2. : to trip in walking or running
3.
a. : to walk unsteadily or clumsily
b. : to speak or act in a hesitant or faltering manner
4.
a. : to come unexpectedly or by chance
stumble onto the truth
b. : to fall or move carelessly
transitive verb
1. : to cause to stumble : trip
2. : bewilder , confound
• stum·bler -b(ə-)lər noun
• stum·bling·ly -b(ə-)liŋ-lē adverb
II. noun
Date: 1547
: an act or instance of stumbling