wanken
Translation
to stagger, to totter, to waver, to falter
Examples
Der Betrunkene wankte die Straße entlang.
The drunk staggered along the street.
Der alte Turm wankt im Sturm.
The old tower sways in the storm.
Sein Entschluss begann zu wanken.
His resolve began to waver.
Grammar Patterns
(( )) to stagger, to sway The drunk wankte along the street.
Similar Words
Synonyms: schwanken, torkeln, taumeln; Antonyms: stehen, festbleiben
Etymology
Derived from Old High German 'wankōn' meaning 'to sway,' which is also related to the German 'winken' (to wave).
Memory Tips
Think of a 'wonky' table leg that makes the whole table 'wanken' (stagger/wobble).