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stammer definition

stam·mer (stam′ər)

transitive verb, intransitive verb

to speak or say with involuntary pauses or blocks, often with rapid repetitions of syllables or initial sounds, as temporarily from excitement, embarrassment, etc. or chronically as a result of muscle spasms believed to result from mental conflicts; stutter

Etymology: ME stameren < OE stamerian, akin to Du stameren, freq. formation < IE base *stem-, to stumble in speech, halt > stem, stumble, Ger stumm, dumb

noun

act, instance, or habit of stammering

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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