stammer

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To utter with a stammer, or with timid hesitancy.

   He blushed, and stammered a few words of apology.

2. 2
   noun

   The involuntary repetition of a sound in speech.

   She said goodbye in a stammer.

3. 3
   noun

   a speech disorder involving hesitations and involuntary repetitions of certain sounds

4. 4
   verb

   speak haltingly

5. 5
   verb

   To keep repeating a particular sound involuntarily during speech.

6. 6
   noun

   A speech defect whereby someone speaks with a stammer

7. 7
   name

   A surname from German.

Etymology

From Middle English stameren, from Old English stamerian, from Proto-West Germanic *stamrōn, from Proto-Germanic *stamrōną (“to stammer”). Compare German stammeln, Dutch stameren, Old Norse stammr. Doublet of stumble.