different between saunter vs walking

English

Etymology

Etymology unclear. Attested in the sense “to stroll” from the 1660s; noun sense “a stroll” attested 1828. Likely from earlier term meaning “to muse”, late 15th century, from Middle English santren, of unknown origin. Competing theories exist:

• From Anglo-Norman sauntrer (mid 14th century), from Middle French s'aventurer (“to take risks”); however this is considered unlikely by the OED. Compare Middle English aunter (“adventure”).
• Of Germanic origin, with proposed cognates including German schlendern, Danish slentre, Swedish släntra, and Icelandic slentr, all meaning “to stroll”.

Various fanciful folk etymologies have also been given.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /?s?nt?/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?s??nt?/
• (cot–caught merger, Canada) IPA^(key): /?s?nt?/
• Rhymes: -??nt?(?)

Verb

saunter (third-person singular simple present saunters, present participle sauntering, simple past and past participle sauntered)

1. To stroll, or walk at a leisurely pace.

   Synonyms: amble, stroll, wander

   • 1858-1880, David Masson, The Life Of John Milton: 1649-1654

     One could lie under elm trees in a lawn, or saunter in meadows by the side of a stream.

Translations

Noun

saunter (plural saunters)

1. A leisurely walk or stroll.
2. A leisurely pace.
3. (obsolete) A place for sauntering or strolling.
   • 1728, Edward Young, The Love of Fame

     That wheel of fops, that saunter of the town.

Translations

References

Anagrams

• Transue, aunters, natuers, natures, sea turn, seruant, tea urns, tea-urns, unrates

English

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?w??k??/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /?w?k??/
• (cot–caught merger) IPA^(key): /?w?k??/
• Rhymes: -??k??
• Hyphenation: walk?ing

Etymology 1

From Middle English walkynge, walkinge, walkinde, walkende, walkand, walkande, from Old English wealcende (attested as Old English wealcendes), from Proto-Germanic *walkandz, present participle of Proto-Germanic *walkan? (“to roll, trample, walk”), equivalent to walk +? -ing.

Verb

walking

1. present participle of walk

Adjective

walking (not comparable)

1. Incarnate as a human; living.

   Elizabeth knows so many words that they call her the walking dictionary.

   Phil's mother is a walking miracle after surviving that accident.

2. Able to walk in spite of injury or sickness.
3. Characterized by or suitable for walking.

   a walking tour

   good walking shoes

Derived terms

Translations

Etymology 2

From Middle English walkyng, walkinge, equivalent to walk +? -ing.

Noun

walking (countable and uncountable, plural walkings)

1. gerund of walk.
   • 1878, Anthony Trollope, Ayala's Angel

     Mrs Dosett, aware that daintiness was no longer within the reach of her and hers, did assent to these walkings in Kensington Gardens.

Translations

See also

• shanks' mare
• shanks' pony