Pronunciation: [stˈʌtə] (IPA) 
The word "stutter" is a bit tricky to spell, as it has a double "t" in the middle that can be easy to overlook. Its IPA phonetic transcription is /ˈstʌtər/, which helps to break down the sounds it consists of. The first syllable starts with a "st" blend, followed by a short "u" vowel sound and a "t" consonant sound. The second syllable consists of a schwa sound, followed by another "t" consonant sound and an "er" sound in the end.
Stutter, as a verb, refers to the speech disorder characterized by involuntary repetition, prolongation, or disruption of sounds, syllables, or words. Individuals who stutter experience interruptions in their normal fluency of speech, often accompanied by physical manifestations such as abnormal facial and body movements or tension. Stuttering can also manifest as frequent hesitations, pauses, or blocks that create difficulties in the expression of thoughts or ideas.
As a noun, stutter refers to the act or instance of stuttering. It can also refer to a person who stutters, sometimes known as a stutterer.
This communication disorder usually begins in childhood during the developmental stages of language acquisition. While the exact causes are not fully understood, it is believed to result from a combination of genetic, neurological, and environmental factors. Some children who stutter may eventually outgrow the condition, while others may continue to stutter into adulthood.
There are various techniques and therapies available to manage and treat stuttering, including speech therapy, counseling, and behavioral interventions. Such interventions aim to improve fluency, reduce anxiety, and enhance communication skills.
In a broader context, the term "stutter" can also be used figuratively to denote a disruption or interruption in any process or system, not exclusively limited to speech.
To enunciate certain words with difficulty and with frequent halting and repetition of the initial consonant of a word or syllable; the cause is a spasm of the lingual and palatal muscles.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
• To speak imperfectly with broken efforts of the voice; to hesitate in uttering words.
• Hesitation in speaking; the broken efforts of the voice in imperfect speech.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "stutter" originated in Late Middle English and has its roots in the Old English word "stoteren", which means "to stutter" or "to stammer". This Old English term is likely derived from the Proto-Germanic word "stautōną", meaning "to strike against" or "to stumble". Thus, the etymology of the word "stutter" suggests a connection to the act of stumbling or faltering in speech.
