Stunt /(?)/

Stunt

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Stunted; p. pr. & vb. n. Stunting

  1. To hinder from growing to the natural size; to prevent the growth of; to stint, to dwarf; as, to stunt a child; to stunt a plant.
    When, by a cold penury, I blast the abilities of a nation, and stunt the growth of its active energies, the ill or may do is beyond all calculation.

Stunt

n.
  1. A check in growth; also, that which has been checked in growth; a stunted animal or thing.
  2. Specifically: A whale two years old, which, having been weaned, is lean, and yields but little blubber.

Stunt

n.
  1. A feat hard to perform; an act which is striking for the skill, strength, or the like, required to do it; a feat. [Colloq.]
    An extraordinary man does three or four different “stunts” with remarkable dexterity.
    — The Bookman.
    He does not try to do stunts; and, above all, he does not care to go in swimming.
    — L. Hutton.
  2. an unusual action performed to gain public attention; as, a publicity stunt.