stunt 1
— stuntingly , adv. — stunty , adj.
/stunt/ , v.t.
1. to stop, slow down, or hinder the growth or development of; dwarf: A harsh climate stunted the trees. Brutal treatment in childhood stunted his personality.
n.
2. a stop or hindrance in growth or development.
3. arrested development.
4. a plant or animal hindered from attaining its proper growth.
5. Plant Pathol. a disease of plants, characterized by a dwarfing or stunting of the plant.
[ 1575-85; v. use of dial. stunt dwarfed, stubborn (ME; OE: stupid); c. MHG stunz, ON stuttr short; akin to STINT 1 ]
stunt 2
/stunt/ , n.
1. a performance displaying a person's skill or dexterity, as in athletics; feat: an acrobatic stunt.
2. any remarkable feat performed chiefly to attract attention: The kidnapping was said to be a publicity stunt.
v.i.
3. to do a stunt or stunts.
4. Television Slang. to add specials, miniseries, etc., to a schedule of programs, esp. so as to increase ratings.
v.t.
5. to use in doing stunts: to stunt an airplane.
[ 1890-95, Amer.; orig. uncert. ]