[f. STUNT a.]
† 1. trans. a. To irritate, provoke to anger. (Cf. STUNT a. 3.) b. To bring to an abrupt stand; to nonplus. Obs.
a. 1583. Melbancke, Philotimus, N j. The burning of his right eare stunted him likewise, for yt it is one of ye parts which Saturne an euil planet gouerneth. Ibid., U iij. Ye tender bloud, from whence thin rare spirites do breath…, enfeebles the body, and kepes it downe, whettes the wit and stunts the stomacke.
b. 1603. Harsnet, Popish Impost., 55. It was sufficient … that his girdle … should at the first touch of the party possessed, stunt the deuils wits.
1614. Latham, Falconry (1633), 40. For want of digesture … she will be presently stunted by those obstructions.
1642. W. Montagu, in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.), I. 301. His going … is the wonder of London, and stunts us all to apprehend either what was the cause or what will be the sequel of it.
2. To check the growth or development of (a person, plant, etc.); to decrease (growth or production); hence, to dwarf.
1678. Evelyn, Terra (ed. 2), 333. It is ever advisable to Water whilst the Ground is a little moist, and not totally dry, especially during the growing seasons, for it stunts the Plant and interrupts its progress.
1712. Arbuthnot, John Bull, III. ii. 10. This Usage tho’ it stunted the Girl in her Growth, gave her a hardy Constitution.
1740. Cheyne, Regimen, 68. To stunt the growth of young Animals,… they need only be frequently rubbed over, with Brandy.
1842. J. Wilson, Chr. North (1857), II. 19. Not only was his stature stunted, but his whole frame was delicate in the extreme.
1845. Florist’s Jrnl. (1846), VI. 97. They require to be kept rather dry, and to be stunted in the pots.
1881. Whitehead, Hops, 27. It is considered better not to stimulate the plants to produce hops thus early, as it is apt to weaken them and to stunt their growth afterwards.
1896. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., I. 466. Exercise increases growth, while over-exercise stunts it.
b. transf. and fig.
1659. F. Osborn, Miscell. Ess., etc. 75. Such as succeed in their dear-bought Experiences … become stunted in their Knowledge.
1796. Burke, Lett. Noble Lord, 30. When by a cold penury, I blast the abilities of a nation, and stunt the growth of it’s active energies, the ill I may do is beyond all calculation.
1819. J. Foster, Contrib. Eclectic Rev. (1844), I. 509. Their minds were cramped, stunted, and irritated by a hyper-calvinistic cast of doctrine.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., i. I. 48. During the last three centuries, to stunt the growth of the human mind has been her [sc. the Church of Rome’s] chief object.
1867. Pusey, Eleven Addr., ix. (1908), 108. It is a graver thing, if a duty, impressed on us in our very earliest childhood,… remained stunted to its then measure.
1876. Mozley, Univ. Serm., xiii. 238. There is a barrenness in their minds which stunts all the truths which they take up.
1893. J. Edgar, Hist. Early Scot. Educ., xiv. 175. However hostile critics may talk, their system does not necessarily Cramp or stunt native genius.
3. intr. To become arrested in growth, ? Obs.
1706. London & Wise, Retir’d Gard., 20. Nor do our fruits stunt, chap, and drop off as they do with them [in France].
1707. Mortimer, Husb., 379. [Of coppice wood] What is bit by the Cattle, will else stunt for several Years before it will take to its growth.
1750. W. Ellis, Mod. Husbandm., III. ii. 50, in Britten, Old Country Words, s.v., [Lambs] stunting or dying by the operation [of castrating]. Ibid., V. I. 78 ibid., [Turnips will] burn, stunt, and spoil [if they grow too thick].
1796. C. Marshall, Gardening, viii. (1813), 101. Old fruit trees may sometimes succeed with good management, but they are liable to stunt, and dwindle off.
4. To become sullen or sulky. dial.
1877–89. N. W. Linc. Gloss., s.v., Doänt saay noht; I’d let her stunt it oot if I was thoo. Master Robad, O, how he stunt.
1886. S.-W. Linc. Gloss., s.v., I spoke to him but he stunted directly.
