Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun Plural form of
stagger . - noun any of various
diseases ofanimals that affects thenervous system , characterized by a lack ofcontrol of thelimbs - verb Third-person singular simple present indicative form of
stagger .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun a disease of the central nervous system affecting especially horses and cattle; characterized by an unsteady swaying gait and frequent falling
Etymologies
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Examples
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II. iii.170 (58,9) [Into the staggers] One species of the _staggers_, or the _horses apoplexy_, is a raging impatience which makes the animal dash himself with destructive violence against posts or walls.
Notes to Shakespeare — Volume 01: Comedies Samuel Johnson 1746
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We stayed in the mines until 3.30 in the afternoon and the "staggers" -- our pet name for the foremen -- saw to it that we had a busy time of it.
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Version 'erreth,' is literally 'staggers' or 'reels,' and it is more graphic to keep that meaning.
Expositions of Holy Scripture Second Kings Chapters VIII to End and Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah. Esther, Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes Alexander Maclaren 1868
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The perception that must be involved to do this kind of staggers the mind.
The ZehnKatzen Times 2009
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Abdiel is Faith, and a blow from his sword staggers the skeptical Satan, or in Scriptural metaphor removes the mountain into the sea (vi.
Milton's Angels 1884
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'ard frost,' arder nor hiron; in the second place, I've got no arrangements made -- you can't turn out a pack of 'igh-bred fox-'ounds as you would a lot of "staggers" or "muggers"; and, in the third place, you'll knock all your nags to bits, and they are a deal better in their wind than they are on their legs, as it is.
Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour Robert Smith Surtees 1833
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"My grandfather was a very poor minister, and kept a cow, which was a very great help in the support of his children -- he had ten of them; -- and the cow took the" staggers "and died.
The Wonders of Prayer A Record of Well Authenticated and Wonderful Answers to Prayer 1870
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What staggers me is when I remind myself that it was only in 1991 that the law was changed to make rape within marriage an offence.
Rapes, murders – and one sleepless night: the life of a criminal prosecutor 2012
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Rather than go down in flames, it's more likely that the Gingrich campaign staggers painfully, bleeding money and support until there's nothing left.
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We also completely buy it as he staggers onstage and somehow pulls it together to perform his signature tunes and engage an enthusiastic, if tiny, audience.
Superb Jeff Bridges strikes rich notes in 'Crazy Heart' 2009
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