gait

Definition

A manner of walking or stepping; a bearing or carriage while moving on legs.

Etymology

From a specialised use of gate (“way, manner, behaviour, habit", properly "way, path, street, journey”), from Middle English gate (“way, path, road, street”), from Old Norse gata (“path, lane, alley, road”), from Proto-Germanic *gatwǭ (“passageway, street”). Doublet of gate.

Example Sentences

• "Carrying a heavy suitcase, he had a lopsided gait."