/tum"beuhl/ , v. , tumbled, tumbling , n.
v.i.
1. to fall helplessly down, end over end, as by losing one's footing, support, or equilibrium; plunge headlong: to tumble down the stairs.
2. to roll end over end, as in falling: The stones tumbled down the hill.
3. to fall or decline rapidly; drop: Prices on the stock market tumbled today.
4. to perform gymnastic feats of skill and agility, as leaps or somersaults.
5. to fall suddenly from a position of power or authority; suffer overthrow: As one dictator tumbles, another is rising to take his place.
6. to fall in ruins, as from age or decay; collapse; topple: The walls of the old mansion tumbled down upon the intruders.
7. to roll about by turning one way and another; pitch about; toss.
8. to stumble or fall (usually fol. by over ): to tumble over a sled.
9. to go, come, get, etc., in a hasty and confused way: The people tumbled out of the theater. He tumbled hurriedly into his clothes.
10. Informal. to understand or become aware of some fact or circumstance (often fol. by to ): He finally tumbled to what they were doing.
11. Rocketry. (of a missile) to rotate without control end over end.
v.t.
12. to cause to fall or roll end over end; throw over or down.
13. to throw or toss about; cause disarray, as in handling or searching.
14. to put in a disordered or rumpled condition.
15. to throw, cast, put, send, etc., in a precipitate, hasty, or rough manner.
16. to cause to fall from a position of authority or power; overthrow; topple: They tumbled him from his throne.
17. to cause to fall or collapse in ruins: The wreckers tumbled the walls of the building.
18. to subject to the action of a tumbling box.
n.
19. an act of tumbling or falling.
20. a gymnastic or acrobatic feat.
21. an accidental fall; spill.
22. a drop in value, as of stocks.
23. a fall from a position of power or authority: The great director took a tumble when he was replaced by a newcomer.
24. a response indicating interest, affection, etc.: She wouldn't give me a tumble.
25. tumbled condition; disorder or confusion.
26. a confused heap: a tumble of papers, ashes, pens, and keys on the desk.
27. Chiefly New Eng. a haycock.
28. take a tumble to , Australian Slang. to come to understand.
[ 1250-1300; ME tum ( b ) len to dance in acrobatic style (c. D tuimelen, LG tummeln ), freq. of ME tomben, OE tumbian, (c. ON tumba, akin to OHG tumon to reel (perh.
tomber to fall ]