ˈtəmb(ə)lə(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from tumblen to tumble + -er — more at tumble
1. : one that tumbles: as
a. : one that performs gymnastic or acrobatic feats (as somersaults or handsprings) : acrobat
b. : a dog formerly bred for taking rabbits by suddenly seizing animals attracted or distracted by its circuitous tumbling progress
c. or tumbler pigeon : any of various domestic pigeons that tumble or somersault backward in flight or on the ground
d.
(1) : the pupa of a mosquito
(2) : tumblebug
e. chiefly dialect : tumble cart , tumbrel
f. : roly-poly 4b
2. : a drinking glass made usually without a foot or stem and originally with a pointed or convex base so that it could not be set down until empty
3.
a. : a movable obstruction in a lock (as a lever, latch, wheel, slide, pin) that must be adjusted to a particular position (as by a key) before the bolt can be thrown
b. : a piece that is attached to or forms part of the hammer of a gunlock, that is acted on by the mainspring, and that bears the notches for the sear point to enter
c.
(1) : a projecting piece on a revolving shaft or rockshaft for actuating another piece ; specifically : the click that moves the rack in a striking mechanism one tooth for each blow struck
(2) : the movable part of a tumbler gear
d. : a pin or one of a pair of pins engaging the ends of a ring stopper and shank painter
e. : one of the levers suspending the harness in a loom
f. : needle 8d
4. : a device or mechanism for tumbling or revolving: as
a. : a clothes-drying device consisting of a revolving cage in which hot air is agitated by fan action
b. : tumbling barrel
c. : a drum in which hides are treated (as washed and softened) in leather manufacturing
5.
a. : a worker that operates a tumbling device (as a tumbling barrel)
b. : one that deburrs and cleans parts (as of watches or guns) by tumbling them with abrasives