ˈstiltə̇d adjective
1.
a. : supported on or as if on stilts
a stilted railway trestle
starting off … on her precarious heels with quick stilted steps — Warren Beck
b. : having the springing higher than the apparent level of the impost
stilted arch
c. : having long thin legs
a stilted crane
2.
a. : artificially elevated : pompous , lofty
their conversations are miracles of studied, stilted eloquence — B.R.Redman
b. : lacking in spontaneity : restricted by convention : formal , stiff
a stilted letter of acknowledgment
painting people and tigers … in a curiously flat and stilted way — Cyril Ray
when people try to correct their speech … they develop a stilted pronunciation — Charlton Laird
• stilt·ed·ly adverb