1. Walk unsteadily: The most common meaning is to walk or move in a shaky or unsteady way, as if about to fall.
Examples:
* The old woman tottered across the street.
* The building tottered under the weight of the snow.
* The company is tottering on the brink of bankruptcy.
2. Be about to fall: "Totter" can also mean to be on the verge of collapsing or falling.
Examples:
* The tower tottered precariously on its foundation.
* His confidence tottered as he realized the magnitude of the task.
3. Be unstable: In a broader sense, "totter" can also be used to describe something that is unstable or insecure.
Example:
* The government is tottering under the weight of public disapproval.
In summary, "to totter" implies a lack of stability, whether it's in movement, physical structure, or even a situation or concept.