tumbler

[ tuhm-bler ]

noun

1. a person who performs leaps, somersaults, and other bodily feats.
2. (in a lock) any locking or checking part that, when lifted or released by the action of a key or the like, allows the bolt to move.
3. a stemless drinking glass having a flat, often thick bottom.
4. (in a gunlock) a leverlike piece that by the action of a spring forces the hammer forward when released by the trigger.
5. Machinery.
   1. a part moving a gear into place in a selective transmission.
   2. a single cog or cam on a rotating shaft, transmitting motion to a part with which it engages.
6. a tumbling box or barrel.
7. a person who operates a tumbling box or barrel.
8. one of a breed of dogs resembling a small greyhound, used formerly in hunting rabbits.
9. Also called roller. one of a breed of domestic pigeons noted for the habit of tumbling backward in flight.
10. a toy, usually representing a fat, squatting figure, that is weighted and rounded at the bottom so as to rock when touched.
11. a tumbrel or tumble cart.

tumbler

/ ˈtʌmblə /

noun

1. 1. a flat-bottomed drinking glass with no handle or stem. Originally, a tumbler had a round or pointed base and so could not stand upright
   2. Also calledtumblerful the contents or quantity such a glass holds
2. a person, esp a professional entertainer, who performs somersaults and other acrobatic feats
3. another name for tumble dryer
4. Also calledtumbling box a pivoted box or drum rotated so that the contents (usually inferior gemstones) tumble about and become smooth and polished
5. the part of a lock that retains or releases the bolt and is moved by the action of a key
6. a lever in a gunlock that receives the action of the mainspring when the trigger is pressed and thus forces the hammer forwards
7. 1. a part that moves a gear in a train of gears into and out of engagement
   2. a single cog or cam that transmits motion to the part with which it engages
8. a toy, often a doll, that is so weighted that it rocks when touched
9. often capital a breed of domestic pigeon kept for exhibition or flying. The performing varieties execute backward somersaults in flight

Word History and Origins

Origin of tumbler¹

1300–50; Middle English: acrobat; tumble, -er ¹. Compare Low German tümeler drinking-cup, kind of pigeon

Example Sentences

They then displayed a screenshot of a URL that appears to have misspelled “tumblers” by adding an extra “l” to spell out “tumblerls” instead.

From Salon

The performers are stationed at three tables, each equipped with a bottle of whiskey and a tumbler.

From New York Times

The deflated grippers can conformably hold on to a tumbler without dropping it, even when a coin is dropped inside.

From Science Daily

And don’t use your everyday tumblers and juice glasses — this is a chance to share interesting pieces with guests, including vintage glasses with unusual shapes, colors and patterns.

From Seattle Times

Stanley cups, for example, similarly skyrocketed to online fame this year, with demand for the tumblers causing chaos at retailers nationwide.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• beaker
• canteen
• carafe
• chalice
• decanter
• jug
• urn
• vial