tumble
UK: ˈtʌmbl | US: ˈtʌmbl
vi. to fall suddenly and clumsily
vi. to roll or twist end over end
vt. to cause to fall or roll abruptly
n. an act of tumbling; a sudden fall
tumble = tum<to fall> + ble<frequentative verb suffix>
- tum (from Middle English tumben, meaning "to fall or dance clumsily")
- ble (a frequentative suffix indicating repeated or habitual action, as in stumble, crumble)
Etymology Origin:
The word tumble traces back to Middle English tumben, influenced by Old English tumbian (to dance or fall). The frequentative suffix -ble (later -le) was added to imply repeated or uncontrolled motion, evolving into its modern sense of a clumsy or rolling fall. The imagery of disorderly movement persists in related words like stumble and jumble.
The child tripped and tumbled down the hill.
Dry leaves tumbled across the path in the wind.
He tumbled the dice onto the table.
The stock market took a sudden tumble yesterday.
She lost her balance and tumbled into the pool.