Balbutiate

/bælˈbjuːʃieɪt/ verb

Definition

To stammer or stutter; to speak in a hesitant, halting manner with repeated sounds.

Etymology

From Latin 'balbutire,' meaning 'to stammer or babble.' This Latin word is likely imitative in origin, mimicking the sounds of stuttering speech. It may be related to 'balbus' (stammering).

Kelly Says

The Latin word 'balbutire' is onomatopoeia—it literally sounds like stammering when you say it! This is why many words for speech impediments come from imitative roots in ancient languages.

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