Obs. [as if ad. L. *fūnambulant-em, pr. pple. of an assumed vb. *fūnambulāre to walk on a rope, f. fūnambulus (see FUNAMBULE) or its elements.] A rope-walker, a funambulist. So Funambulate v., to walk on a stretched rope (in mod. Dicts.). Funambulation, the action of walking on a rope. Funambulator, a rope-walker. Funambulatory a., pertaining to rope-walking; that walks on a rope.
c. 1611. Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. iv. IV. The Decay, 911.
| Hee’s fain to stand like the *Funambulant | |
| Who seems to tread the air, and fall hee must, | |
| Save his Self’s weight him counter-poysest just. |
1623. Cockeram, II. A Rope walker, Funambulante.
1721–92. Bailey, *Funambulation.
1797. E. Darwin, Cond. Fem. Educ. Skating on the ice in winter, swimming in summer, funambulation or dancing on the straight rope.
1676–1732. Coles, *Funambulator … a dancer on the Ropes.
1883. Sala, in Illustr. Lond. News, 11 Aug. The apprenticeship of young children to acrobats and funambulators.
1682. Sir T. Browne, Chr. Mor., I. § 1. Tread softly and circumspectly in this *funambulatory Track and narrow Path of Goodness: Pursue Virtue virtuously: Leven not good Actions nor render Virtues disputable.
1727–41. Chambers Cycl., s.v. Funambulus, In the floralia … held under Galba, there were funambulatory elephants.
1880. J. H. Ingram, in Academy, 28 Feb., 153/2. Funambulatory labours.
