Pronunciation: [lˈɪmpə] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "limper" follows the English language's common rule that doubled consonants after a short vowel sound signal that the vowel should be pronounced with a shorter, sharper sound. Therefore, the "p" in "limper" serves to indicate that the preceding "i" should be pronounced with a short, sharp sound, as in "lip." The IPA phonetic transcription for "limper" is /ˈlɪmpər/.
A limper is a noun that refers to a person or thing that limps or moves with difficulty. The term is derived from the verb "limp," which means to walk or move unevenly due to a physical impairment or injury.
In its primary usage, a limper typically describes an individual who has an abnormal manner of walking due to a painful or weakened leg or foot. This gait may involve a noticeable dragging or shuffling of the affected leg, as well as an asymmetrical movement of the body. Limpers often take shorter strides and rely heavily on the non-affected leg for support.
In a broader sense, the term can also be applied to any object or machine that operates with a faltering or irregular motion. For instance, a poorly maintained vehicle with a malfunctioning engine may be described as a limper. Similarly, a computer program or software that behaves erratically or experiences frequent glitches could also be referred to as a limper.
Overall, whether used figuratively or literally, the concept of a limper implies a lack of smoothness, stability, or efficiency in movement. It characterizes an entity that exhibits an abnormal or compromised level of functionality, whether due to physical impairment, mechanical issues, or programming flaws.
One who walks lamely.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "limper" is derived from the noun "limp", which comes from Middle English "lymple", and ultimately from Old English "lympan" or "limpan". The Old English word originally referred to a hanging or hanging down, and later developed the sense of walking lamely or with a slight unevenness. Over time, it was used as an adjective to describe someone or something that moves with a limp or hobble, which then gave rise to the noun "limper" to designate someone who limps.
