Question

Choose the correct synonym for the following word.
LIMP
a) Kneel
b) Bend
c) Falter
d) Stoop

Answer 1

Hint: In a language there are millions of terms, and each word has a meaning which means what the word signifies. The purpose of that is to communicate something.

Complete Answer:
Limp refers to an action that means to walk slowly and with difficulty because of having an injured or painful leg or foot. The origin of the word is of late Middle English which relates to obsolete ‘limphalt’ which is probably of Germanic origin. Let us look at an example here.
“A stiff knee forced her to walk with a limp.”
So, now we must go through the meaning of the words given as an option to find out which word best expresses the meaning of limp.
a) Kneel: It refers to lowering one’s head or bend one’s knee or body as a sign or respect, agreement, greeting or shame. The origin of the word is from Middle English ‘knelen’, ‘knewlen’. Let us look at an example to understand it better. “She knelt by the bed and prayed.”

b) Bend: It refers to constraining or straining to tension by curving or to apply force from straight or even to curved or angular shape. The origin of the word is of late Middle English. Let us look at an example here. “Bend the bar into a horseshoe.”

c) Falter: It refers to the power loss or strength in an uneven way. The origin of the word is from late Middle English, in the senses of ‘stammer’ and ‘stagger’. This is the closest synonym to the word limp, so this option is the correct answer. Let us look an example here. “I have not faltered in my quest for a new future.”

d) Stoop: It refers to standing or walking with head and shoulders habitually bent forward. The origin of the word is of Middle English in the sense of ‘pail’ or ‘small cask’. Let us look at an example here. “He stooped to pick up the carrier bag of groceries.”

Note: Here, you might get confused with stoop being a similar word for limp. But falter and whim share more similar meanings with one another. Therefore, selecting a stoop will be an incorrect answer.