stilted Definition

stilt
noun

1. Either of a pair of long poles that have supports for the feet part of the way up so that someone can walk around supported high above the ground, and which were originally used for crossing marshy ground, but which are nowadays used by circus performers and children.
2. Any of a set of props on which a building, jetty, etc is supported above ground or water level.
3. A long-legged wading bird that is related to the avocet and which is found in marshy places.

Form: stilt-bird
Form: stilt-plover

verb

stilted, stilting
1. To raise or place on stilts or as though on stilts.

Derivative: stilting
noun

Etymology: 14c: English stilte a plough handle.

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stilted
adj

1. Said of language: unnatural-sounding and over-formal.

Thesaurus: affected, pompous, artificial, bombastic, high-flown, inflated, pretentious, graceless.
2. Laboured or jarring; not flowing.

Example: a stilted conversation
Thesaurus: forced, staged, laboured, wooden; Antonym: flowing, fluent.
3. Raised on stilts.

Derivative: stiltedly
adverb

Derivative: stiltedness
noun

Etymology: 17c: from stilt.