Teeter: meaning, definitions and examples

The word 'teeter' originates from the early 19th century, derived from the verb 'teter' which was likely a variant of 'teeter-totter', a term used for a seesaw. The usage of the term captures the essence of instability and precarious balance, often reflecting a sense of playfulness. The notion of teetering is often associated with childhood experiences and the innocent dangers of learning to balance oneself physically. Historically, the evolution of the word has maintained its focus on the unsteady movement indicative of a situation that is likely to change suddenly. The combination of sounds in 'teeter' gives a light, airy quality that complements its meaning, painting a picture of a gentle wobbling motion, without heavy implications. Over time, it has been colloquially adopted to describe situations beyond physical balance, often metaphorically referring to other forms of instability in life.

This word's position of #34,656 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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• 34653 unbent
• 34654 deviancy
• 34655 bumpkin
• 34656 teeter
• 34657 blubbering
• 34658 undervaluing
• 34659 maddeningly
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