Blunder

[imp. & p. p. BLUNDERED; p. pr. & vb. n. BLUNDERING.] [O. Eng. blonder, allied to blend, to mix, to confound by mixture, q. v.] To mistake grossly from confusion of thought or purpose; to err through want of care or deliberation; to do a thing without forethought, or at haphazard; to flounder; to stumble. I was never distinguished for address, and have often even blundered in making my bow. Goldsmith. Yet knows not how to find the uncertain place, And blunders on, and staggers every pace. Dryden.

n. A mistake through ignorance and heedlessness, or without due exercise of judgment; a gross mistake.

O, let him alone For making a blunder or picking a bone! Goldsmith.

Synonyms— BLUNDER, ERROR, MISTAKE. BULL. An error is a departure or deviation from that which is right or correct; as, an error of the press; an error of judgment. A mistake is the interchange or taking of one thing for another, through haste, inadvertence, &c.; as, a careless mistake. A blunder is a mistake or error of the grossest kind. It supposes a person to flounder on in his course, either from carelessness, ignorance, or stupidity. A bull is a verbal blunder containing a laughable incongruity of ideas. An error may be corrected or forgiven; a mistake may be rectified or overlooked; a blunder is always considered blamable, and usually exposes a person to shame and ridicule.