Definition of: stagger

(stag′ər) v.i.
1. To move unsteadily; totter; reel.
2. To begin to give way; become less confident or resolute; waver; hesitate.
—v.t.
3. To cause to stagger.
4. To affect strongly; overwhelm, as with surprise or grief.
5. To place in alternating rows or groups.
6. To arrange so as to prevent congestion or confusion, as by distributing: to stagger lunch hours.
7. Aeron. To adjust (two surfaces, as the wings of a biplane) so that the edge of one extends beyond the other.
—noun
1. The act of staggering; a reeling motion. See STAGGERS.
2. Aeron. The amount of advance of the leading edge of one wing of a biplane over that of the other. [<obs. stacker <ON stakra]
—stag′ger·er noun
—stag′ger·ing·ly adverb