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Webster 1913 Edition


Tumbler

Tum′bler

,
Noun.
1.
One who tumbles; one who plays tricks by various motions of the body; an acrobat.
2.
A movable obstruction in a lock, consisting of a lever, latch, wheel, slide, or the like, which must be adjusted to a particular position by a key or other means before the bolt can be thrown in locking or unlocking.
3.
(Firearms)
A piece attached to, or forming part of, the hammer of a gunlock, upon which the mainspring acts and in which are the notches for the sear point to enter.
4.
A drinking glass, without a foot or stem; – so called because originally it had a pointed or convex base, and could not be set down with any liquor in it, thus compelling the drinker to finish his measure.
5.
(Zool.)
A variety of the domestic pigeon remarkable for its habit of tumbling, or turning somersaults, during its flight.
6.
(Zool.)
A breed of dogs that tumble when pursuing game. They were formerly used in hunting rabbits.
7.
A kind of cart; a tumbrel.
[Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

Webster 1828 Edition


Tumbler

TUM'BLER

,
Noun.
One who tumbles; one who plays the tricks of a mountebank.
1.
A large drinking glass.
2.
A variety of the domestic pigeon, so called from his practice of tumbling or turning over in flight. It is a short-bodied pigeon, of a plain color, black, blue or white.
3.
A sort of dog, so called form his practice of tumbling before he attacks his prey.

Definition 2024


tumbler

tumbler

English

Noun

tumbler (plural tumblers)

  1. One who tumbles; one who plays tricks by various motions of the body; an acrobat.
  2. A movable obstruction in a lock, consisting of a lever, latch, wheel, slide, or the like, which must be adjusted to a particular position by a key or other means before the bolt can be thrown in locking or unlocking.
  3. A rotating device for smoothing and polishing rough objects, placed inside it, on relatively small parts.
  4. A piece attached to, or forming part of, the hammer of a gunlock, upon which the mainspring acts and in which are the notches for sear point to enter.
  5. A drinking glass that has no stem, foot, or handle — so called because such glasses originally had a pointed or convex base and could not be set down without spilling. This compelled the drinker to finish his measure.
    • 1919, W. Somerset Maugham, The Moon and Sixpence, chapter 46
      "You don't think it's too early?" said the Captain.
      "You and your liver must decide that between you," I replied.
      "I'm practically a teetotaller," he said, as he poured himself out a good half-tumbler of Canadian Club.
  6. A variety of the domestic pigeon remarkable for its habit of tumbling, or turning somersaults, during its flight.
  7. A beverage cup, typically made of stainless steel, that is broad at the top and narrow at the bottom commonly used in India.
  8. (obsolete) A dog of a breed that tumbles when pursuing game, formerly used in hunting rabbits.
  9. (Britain, Scotland, dialect, obsolete) A kind of cart; a tumbrel.
  10. The pupa of a mosquito.
A tumbler (drinking glass) filled with milk.

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