Tottered Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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tottered

[หˆtษ’tษ™rd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

movement unsteadily

To totter means to walk or move unsteadily, as if about to fall. This term is often used to describe an unbalanced or wobbling gait, typically due to weakness, age, or intoxication.

Synonyms

stagger, sway, wobble.

Examples of usage

  • The old man tottered down the street.
  • She tottered on her high heels at the party.
  • The toddler tottered as he learned to walk.
  • After the rollercoaster, he tottered back to his friends.
Context #2 | Verb

figurative decline

In a figurative sense, to totter can also mean to be weak or unstable in a particular situation, often referring to institutions, economies, or conditions that are in jeopardy or decline.

Synonyms

flounder, lurch, teeter.

Examples of usage

  • The company tottered on the brink of bankruptcy.
  • Political stability in the region has tottered in recent months.
  • His grasp on reality seemed to totter as the situation worsened.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'tottered'

The word 'totter' has its origins in Middle English 'totteren', which comes from the Old English 'toterian', meaning 'to sway or to stagger'. It is related to the Proto-Germanic '*tutรด', which indicates an unsteady form of movement. The word has been part of the English lexicon since at least the 14th century, reflecting a transient and unstable manner of walking, commonly associated with the elderly or those affected by some form of impairment, either physical or environmental. Over time, the usage of 'totter' expanded beyond its literal meaning to encompass a broader use in describing fragile or precarious situations, often highlighting a state of vulnerability in multiple contexts.


Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,804, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.