funambulism

noun

fu·​nam·​bu·​lism fyu̇-ˈnam-byə-ˌli-zəm 

1

: tightrope walking

2

: a show especially of mental agility

funambulist

fyu̇-ˈnam-byə-list 

noun

Did you know?

Back in ancient Rome, tightrope walking was a popular spectacle at public gatherings. The Latin word for "tightrope walker" is funambulus, from Latin funis, meaning "rope," and ambulare, "to walk." Over time, this fancy word for an impressive act of physical skill and agility also came to mean an impressive act of mental skill or agility.

Word History

Etymology

Latin funambulus ropewalker, from funis rope + ambulare to walk

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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