I.a. [balbus].
I. Neutr., to stammer, stutter: “balbutire est cum quādam linguae haesitatione et confusione trepidare,” Non. p. 80, 13; Cels. 5, 26, 31: lingua, Cod. 15, 6, 22. —Transf., of birds, not to sing clearly: “merula hieme balbutit,” Plin. 10, 29, 42, § 80. —
B. Trop., to speak upon something obscurely, not distinctly or not correctly: “desinant balbutire (Academici), aperteque et clarā voce audeant dicere,” Cic. Tusc. 5, 26, 75; id. Div. 1, 3, 5.—
II. Act., to stutter, stammer, or lisp out something: illum Balbutit Scaurum pravis fultum male talis, he, lisping or fondling, calls him Scaurus, Hor. S. 1, 3, 48.—Trop., as above: “Stoicus perpauca balbutiens,” Cic. Ac. 2, 45, 137.
