stammer
stammer
UK[ˈstæmə]US[ˈstæmər]
v
To speak with sudden involuntary pauses and repetitions of sounds or syllables.
n
A speech disorder characterized by involuntary repetitions and pauses.
Etymology
The word 'stammer' originates from the Old English verb 'stamerian', meaning to stammer. This term is part of a widespread family of Germanic words expressing the concept of impediment or obstruction, seen in Middle Dutch 'stameren' and Old High German 'stamalōn'. The core idea likely imitates the halting, repetitive sound of obstructed speech, making it somewhat onomatopoeic. Over centuries, its form stabilized in Middle English as 'stameren' before evolving into the modern 'stammer', consistently describing the involuntary disruption of fluent speech.
Analysis
The word 'stammer' is a simplex word of Germanic origin. It is not productively formed from separable modern English morphemes. Its core is the Old English 'stamerian', related to other Germanic words for impediment or obstruction in speech.
Examples
He would often stammer when he felt nervous or put on the spot.
The kind teacher patiently waited for the child to overcome his stammer and finish his sentence.
She spoke with a slight stammer, but her message was clear and powerful.