[-ING1.]
1. In intransitive senses of STAGGER v. a. Reeling, tottering, etc.
1530. Palsgr., 275/1. Stageryng or leanyng of an house, bransle.
1580. Blundevil, Horsemanship, Horses Dis., xxi. 10 b. Dimnesse of sight the reeling and staggering of the Horse.
1598. Shaks., Merry W., III. iii. 12. Without any pause or staggering take the basket on your shoulders.
1628. Dudley Ld. Carleton, in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. I. III. 256. In his staggering he turn’d about, uttering onely this word ‘Villaine!’
1732. Arbuthnot, Rules of Diet, iii. (1736), 370. The immediate Forerunners of an Apoplexy are commonly a Vertigo, Staggering, Loss of Memory [etc.].
1867. Ruskin, Sesame, ix. § 47. The howlings and staggerings of men … in intoxication.
† b. Stammering, faltering in speech. Obs. rare.
1565. Cooper, Thesaurus, Volubilitas linguæ, round or quicke speakyng, without impediment or staggerynge.
1575. R. B., Apius & Virginia, C iv. And angerly to me (quoth he) wher hast thou ben walking. Without any staggeryng, I had ready my lye.
1598. Grenewey, Tacitus, Ann. (1603), 99. Tiberius … cunningly premeditating his words, and with staggering and stammering delivering his minde.
fig. Wavering, vacillating; † a state of wavering or uncertainty.
c. 1555. Harpsfield, Divorce Hen. VIII. (Camden), 235. Mr. Rowland…, being in a great dump and staggering, came to the King.
1565. Jewel, Repl. Harding (1611), 279. I thinke it best … they be abolished, and put away without scruple or staggering.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts, 96. If the mists of raine or sand, do neuer so much obscure the way from the rider, yet doeth shee remember the same without all staggering.
1681. Flavel, Meth. Grace, vii. 140. I have many staggerings and doubtings about the certainty and reality of these things.
1756. Burke, Subl. & B., Wks. I. 195. In this staggering and hurry of the mind.
1874. T. Taylor, Leic. Square, ii. 35. [He] complains of the staggering and irresolution of his nature.
2. In transitive senses.
a. Causing to totter or waver; unsettling.
a. 1661. Fuller, Worthies, I. xvii. (1662), 51. The same Name hath been so often disguised unto the Staggering of many, who have mistook them for different.
1675. J. Owen, Indwelling Sin, xvi. (1732), 223. The Power that the Holy Ghost puts forth by the Word, in the staggering and conviction of Sinners.
1686. F. Spence, trans. Varillas’ Ho. Medicis, 26. The only persons from whom he need fear a second staggering of his fortune.
b. See STAGGER v. 9. Comb. staggering-tool.
1906. J. G. Horner, Tools Engineers, 73. The staggering of teeth is variously done.
1905. Athenæum, 26 Aug., 280/1. It [J. Horner’s section on chisels] leads us … to the Fox-trimmer,… and other shearing and staggering tools.
