What is "stunting"

Stunt \Stunt\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Stunted; p. pr. & vb. n. Stunting.] [See Stint.] To hinder from growing to the natural size; to prevent the growth of; to stint, to dwarf; as, to stunt a child; to stunt a plant.

When, by a cold penury, I blast the abilities of a nation, and stunt the growth of its active energies, the ill or may do is beyond all calculation.
--Burke.

n. (context medicine English) stunted growth, often caused by chronic malnutrition

n. the performance of stunts while in flight in an aircraft [syn: acrobatics, aerobatics, stunt flying]

In radio broadcasting, stunting occurs when a station abruptly airs content that is seemingly uncharacteristic compared to what they normally play. The tactic is commonly used when a station is about to undergo a major change (such as a change in format, branding, frequency, ownership or management, or even the acquisition of a high-profile program or personality), or simply as a prank on listeners and rival broadcasters, either way, stunting is intended as a way to generate a greater amount of media publicity and audience attention to the station, by virtue of its shock value, than a straightforward format change could provide. Depending on the station's situation and its management's preference, stunt formats can last anywhere from a few minutes to several weeks before the permanent change is launched.