Stagger



GRE TOEFL 考研

解释

GRE 红宝书

• v.蹒跚, 摇晃
• ［英］ v.蹒跚, 摇晃 ( to move on unsteadily)
• ［例］ The ship staggered. He staggered just for a moment and then made a decision.

Webster Collegiate

I. verb (staggered; staggering)

• Etymology: alteration of earlier stacker, from Middle English stakeren, from Old Norse stakra, frequentative of staka to push; perhaps akin to Old English staca stake — more at stake
• Date: 15th century
• intransitive verb
  • 1.
    • a. to reel from side to side ; totter
    • b. to move on unsteadily <staggered toward the door>
  • 2. to waver in purpose or action ; hesitate
  • 3. to rock violently <the ship staggered>
• transitive verb
  • 1. to cause to doubt or hesitate ; perplex
  • 2. to cause to reel or totter
  • 3. to arrange in any of various zigzags, alternations, or overlappings of position or time <stagger work shifts><stagger teeth on a cutter>
• ? staggerer noun

II. noun

• Date: 1577
• 1. plural but singular or plural in construction an abnormal condition of domestic animals associated with damage to the central nervous system and marked by incoordination and a reeling unsteady gait
• 2. a reeling or unsteady gait or stance
• 3. an arrangement in which the leading edge of the upper wing of a biplane is advanced over that of the lower

III. adjective

• Date: 1918
• marked by an alternating or overlapping pattern

---