BLUNDER • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Blunder

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/blˈəndər/ Listen

noun

Blunder n.

1.

Confusion; disturbance. (Obs.)

2.

A gross error or mistake, resulting from carelessness, stupidity, or culpable ignorance.

Synonyms: Blunder, Error, Mistake, Bull. An error is a departure or deviation from that which is right or correct; as, an error of the press; an error of judgment. A mistake is the interchange or taking of one thing for another, through haste, inadvertence, etc.; as, a careless mistake. A blunder is a mistake or error of a gross kind. It supposes a person to flounder on in his course, from carelessness, ignorance, or stupidity. A bull is a verbal blunder containing a laughable incongruity of ideas.

verb

Blunder v. t.

1.

To cause to blunder. (Obs.) "To blunder an adversary."

2.

To do or treat in a blundering manner; to confuse. "He blunders and confounds all these together."

Blunder v. i. (past & past part. blundered; pres. part. blundering)

1.

To make a gross error or mistake; as, to blunder in writing or preparing a medical prescription.

2.

To move in an awkward, clumsy manner; to flounder and stumble. "I was never distinguished for address, and have often even blundered in making my bow." "Yet knows not how to find the uncertain place, And blunders on, and staggers every pace."

To blunder on.

(a)

To continue blundering.

(b)

To find or reach as if by an accident involving more or less stupidity, applied to something desirable; as, to blunder on a useful discovery.

See images of 'Blunder'

Etymology of 'Blunder'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Blunder" Quotes from Famous Books

... every precaution, it is currently whispered in the streets to-day that Virginia has seceded from the Union; and that the act is to be submitted to the people for ratification a month hence. This is perhaps a blunder. If the Southern States are to adhere to the old distinct sovereignty doctrine, God help them one and all to achieve their independence of the United States. Many are inclined to think the safest plan would be to obliterate State lines, and merge ...

— A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital • John Beauchamp Jones

... at a wrong time suggests the possibility that the owner might blunder similarly in his personal appearing. The neglect to send a card at a proper time is equivalent to a personal neglect. The man who comes himself and hands you his card also is apt to have too many elbows at a dinner, too many feet at a ball. He has about him a suggestion of awkward superfluousness ...

— Etiquette • Agnes H. Morton

... territory fully revealed itself. Peremptory orders were sent to the Canton authorities from Pekin to expel the foreigners at all costs. The government of India was responsible for what was a distinct blunder in our political relations with China. In 1808, when alarm at Napoleon's schemes was at its height, it sent Admiral Drury and a considerable naval force to occupy Macao. The Chinese at once protested, withheld supplies, refused to hold any intercourse with that commander, and threatened ...

— China • Demetrius Charles Boulger

... They wondered at Mrs. Bargrave's inquiry; and sent her word, that she was not there, nor was expected. At this answer Mrs. Bargrave told the maid she had certainly mistook the name, or made some blunder. And though she was ill, she put on her hood, and went herself to Captain Watson's though she knew none of the family, to see if Mrs. Veal was there or not. They said, they wondered at her asking, for that she had not been in town; they ...

— The Best Ghost Stories • Various

... said Mr. Knight, a thought, however, just occurring to his mind, that he had two or three times allowed her to replace a man on her religiously assuring him that such a move was an absolute blunder. ...

— A Pair of Blue Eyes • Thomas Hardy

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