funambulist
/fju:'næmbjulist/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A performer who specializes in walking, balancing, and performing acrobatic feats on a tightrope or a slack rope. The term is derived from Latin funis (rope) and ambulare (to walk).
Usage
The word "funambulist" is a formal and specific term used to describe a professional performer in a circus or similar setting. It is less common in everyday conversation than the simpler phrase "tightrope walker."
Examples
- The circus featured a daring funambulist who crossed the high wire without a safety net.
- Historically, funambulists were celebrated for their incredible skill and balance.
- She trained for years to become a professional funambulist.
Advanced Usage
- The term can be used metaphorically to describe someone who navigates a difficult situation with great skill and balance, though this is a literary usage.
- As a diplomat, he was a funambulist, carefully maintaining peace between the rival nations.
Variants and Related Words
- Funambulism (noun): The art or skill of tightrope walking.
- His mastery of funambulism was unparalleled.
Synonyms
- Tightrope walker
- Rope walker
- Rope dancer (archaic)
- High-wire artist
Antonyms
- There are no direct antonyms, but terms describing a lack of balance or coordination (e.g., clumsy person) are conceptually opposite.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- To walk a tightrope: This common idiom, meaning to handle a situation requiring great care and balance, is conceptually related but uses the common term "tightrope" instead of "funambulist."
- The CEO is walking a tightrope between investor demands and employee welfare.
Noun
- an acrobat who performs on a tightrope or slack rope