stagger-v; 3 Senses

Sense Number 1: walk with great difficulty; move in a stumbling way

Commentary:
NOTE: Can be used metaphorically.

Examples:
She staggered up the steps to knock on the door.
He staggered to his feet and gripped Alex's arm.
Plodding and overplotted, it staggers under the weight of its contrivances.

Mappings:
VerbNet: run-51.3.2
FrameNet: Self_motion
PropBank: stagger.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1, 2

Sense Number 2: arrange in an alternating, overlapping, or zigzag pattern

Commentary:
NOTE: Watch for adjectival uses, like 'the extinctions were staggered across the time period', as opposed to passive uses, like 'the boards were staggered and taped (by the work crew).'

Examples:
He staggered the lights instead of putting them in a straight line.
She staggered the planting over nine weeks to maximize the duration of production.
10 minute intervals will stagger competitors.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NM
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: stagger.03
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 3

Sense Number 3: astound or overwhelm

Examples:
It staggers the mind how badly this was bungled.
The difference will stagger you.
It staggers me that they don't do more to promote 3D.

Mappings:
VerbNet: amuse-31.1
FrameNet: Experiencer_obj
PropBank: stagger.02
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 4