juggle
UK[ˈdʒʌɡl]US[ˈdʒʌɡl]
v
To keep several objects in the air at the same time by catching and throwing them quickly.
v
To try to deal with two or more activities or responsibilities at the same time.
Etymology
The word 'juggle' entered English in the late 14th century from the Old French 'jogler', meaning 'to joke, jest, or play tricks'. This Old French term itself came from the Latin 'joculari', meaning 'to jest or joke', a derivative of 'jocus' (a joke or pastime). The specific sense of keeping objects in the air, which emerged in the 1520s, evolved from the earlier meaning of performing tricks or entertaining, reflecting the skill's role as a form of public performance and amusement. The modern figurative meaning of managing multiple tasks is a 20th-century extension of this physical skill.
Analysis
The word 'juggle' is a simplex word derived from Middle English. It is not productively formed from separable morphemes in modern English.
Examples
He learned to juggle three balls in just a few weeks.
Many parents have to juggle work and family commitments.
The conference was a challenge to juggle, with multiple sessions happening simultaneously.