funambulism
noun
fu·nam·bu·lism
fyu̇-ˈnam-byə-ˌli-zəm 
1
: tightrope walking
2
: a show especially of mental agility
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.
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Cite this Entry
“Funambulism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/funambulism. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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