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# stagger

verb (stagger, staggers, staggered, staggering); noun (a stagger)

«stagger» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To walk or move unsteadily, almost falling, because you are hurt, tired, dizzy or carrying something heavy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stagger/#m1)
2. To shock or amaze someone very much. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stagger/#m2)
3. To arrange things so they do not all happen at the same time, like staggered lunch breaks or a staggered start in a race. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stagger/#m3)
4. (noun) An unsteady walk. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stagger/#m4)

### In the lessons

In stories a character staggers when hurt, exhausted or dizzy. In news and maths, big numbers «stagger» people (they are amazing). At school, lunch times and race starts are staggered so lanes are fair: runners on outer lanes start ahead because the outer track is longer.

### Examples

- He staggered under the weight of the heavy box. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stagger/#x1)
- The tired runner staggered over the finish line. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stagger/#x2)
- I was staggered by how much the trip cost. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stagger/#x3)
- Lunch breaks are staggered so the hall isn't too crowded. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stagger/#x4)
- In the 200 m race, the start is staggered. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stagger/#x5)
- She staggered out of the spinning teacups ride laughing. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stagger/#x6)
- With a willow cane he propped himself up as he staggered along beneath his burden. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stagger/#x7)

### Note

Regular verb; double g. «Staggered» (adjective) means shocked or arranged at different times. «Staggering» (adjective) means amazing. In maths, staggered times means start times spaced out, e.g. groups every 10 minutes.

## In Jewish tradition

In the Bible it often describes people made unsteady like drunkards by God's judgment or by terror.

**Interpretation.** The staggering is read as helplessness: when God removes wisdom and strength, even the clever and strong fall.

### Examples

- They grope in the dark without light, and He maketh them to stagger like a drunken man. (Writings JOB.12.25, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/stagger/#x1)
- They reeled to and fro, and staggered like a drunken man, and all their wisdom was swallowed up — (Writings PSA.107.27, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/stagger/#x2)
- Blind yourselves, and be blind! ye that are drunken, but not with wine, that stagger, but not with strong drink. (Prophets ISA.29.9, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/stagger/#x3)

### Note

Regular verb; double g. «Staggered» (adjective) means shocked or arranged at different times. «Staggering» (adjective) means amazing. In maths, staggered times means start times spaced out, e.g. groups every 10 minutes.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «stagger» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stagger/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«stagger» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/stagger.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «stagger» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/stagger/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«stagger» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/stagger.html) on Mova free.