tottery

[ tot-uh-ree ]

adjective

1. tottering; tottering; shaky.

Word History and Origins

Origin of tottery¹

First recorded in 1745–55; totter + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Mr. Coltrane’s music finds a tottery balance in the space between free-form improvisation and pulsing, onrushing flow.

From New York Times

“The second took Mr. Laird home, a little tottery on his legs, and Laird sent back a note in his own hand declining to fight a duel with me on any terms whatever,” Twain wrote in his autobiography.

From Washington Times

"Wait a minute! I mean, who built all three? We all built the first one, four of us the second one, and me 'n Simon built the last one over there. That's why it's so tottery. No. Don't laugh. That shelter might fall down if the rain comes back. We'll need those shelters then."

From Literature

It might sound a bit extreme for a man to call the police on his own tottery old parents, but when my grandparents got in a car, trouble just naturally followed them like a filly trailing behind a mare.

From Literature

Of course, there was a courtyard with imposing gates, necessary adjuncts to the dignity of a dwelling that called itself a chateau, but, in sooth, the walls were thin and tottery--more suitable for the support of pear trees en espalier than for withstanding an armed attack.

From Project Gutenberg