See Also: Flounder(medicine)
flounder(1)(dictionary)
flounder(2)(dictionary)
flounder(encyclopedia)
water flounder(medicine)
flounder 1, verb(dictionary)
flounder 2, noun(dictionary)
Flounder Stuffed with Crabmeat Imperial(recipes)
Flounder Fillets over Zesty Lemon Rice(recipes)

flounder(2) (iou)



flounder verb & noun2. L16.
[Imit. (perh. blend of FOUNDER verb and BLUNDER noun, verb) on the basis of the frequency of fl- in words expressing impetuous, clumsy, or rough movement, as fling, flounce.]
A. verb.
verb intrans. Orig., stumble. Later, plunge or tumble about, move clumsily, struggle along, as or as if in mud or deep water. L16.
V. Woolf She would jump straight into a stream and flounder across. A. Uttley She floundered along, bumping into outstretched boughs, tripping over stones.
verb trans. Cause to stumble or struggle; confound. M-L17.
verb intrans. transf. Make mistakes; struggle or show confusion in thoughts or words; manage something badly or with difficulty. L17.
L. P. Hartley To flounder for ever in these cruel uncertainties. P. Barker Knowing how to cope with situations that left other people floundering.
b. noun. The action of the verb; an instance of this. M19.
flounderer noun M19.
flounderingly adverb in a floundering manner M20.