| tumbler | 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 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. 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. <zoology> A variety of the domestic pigeon remarkable for its habit of tumbling, or turning somersaults, during its flight. 6. <zoology> A breed of dogs that tumble when pursuing game. They were formerly used in hunting rabbits. 7. A kind of cart; a tumbrel. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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