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# staggering

adjective (staggering); verb (-ing form of stagger)

«staggering» 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. Very surprising and shocking, because it is so large or amazing. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/staggering/#m1)
2. (verb) Walking unsteadily, almost falling. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/staggering/#m2)

### In the lessons

In news, science and maths talk, «a staggering number» means a hugely large number, like the staggering distance to the stars. In stories it can mean walking unsteadily. Phrases: «a staggering amount», «staggering success».

### Examples

- The cost of the new stadium is staggering. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/staggering/#x1)
- A staggering million people watched the parade. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/staggering/#x2)
- The view from the mountain top was staggering. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/staggering/#x3)
- He came staggering out of the smoke. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/staggering/#x4)
- The Sun is a staggering 150 million kilometres from Earth. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/staggering/#x5)
- Her success was staggering for someone so young. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/staggering/#x6)
- He wetted his lips to be ready, but Hook came staggering out, without his lantern. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/staggering/#x7)

### Note

Adjective use is very common; the meaning is «amazing because so big». Similar: astonishing, astounding. In maths writing it gives feeling, not a number.

## In Jewish tradition

In the prophets "the cup of staggering" is a picture of God's anger which nations must drink until they reel.

**Interpretation.** Tradition reads it as the cup of punishment, first for Israel, then for the nations, and Isaiah promises that Israel will finish drinking it and be comforted.

### Examples

- Thou hast made Thy people to see hard things; Thou hast made us to drink the wine of staggering. (Writings PSA.60.5, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/staggering/#x1)
- Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of staggering unto all the peoples round about, and upon Judah also shall it fall to be in the siege against Jerusalem. (Prophets ZEC.12.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/staggering/#x2)
- Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, that hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of His fury; thou hast drunken the beaker, even the cup of staggering, and drained it. (Prophets ISA.51.17, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/staggering/#x3)

### Note

Adjective use is very common; the meaning is «amazing because so big». Similar: astonishing, astounding. In maths writing it gives feeling, not a number.

## On Mova

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