i Register
In some senses, fitful is marked as obsolete. Watch for register when choosing this word.
fitful
UK /ˈfɪtf(ʊ)l/ US /ˈfɪtf(ə)l/
adj 2
Collocations
4VERB + FITFUL
breathing, fell, threw
FITFUL + NOUN
movements, mud
PREP.
into, on
ADV.
barely, only
Definitions
adj
1
Characterized by fits (convulsions or seizures).
Duncane is in his Graue: After Lifes fitfull Feuer, he ſleepes well, Treaſon ha's done his worſt: not Steele, not Poyſon, Mallice domeſtique, forraine Leuie, nothing, Can touch him further.
2
Characterized by sudden bursts of activity with periods of inactivity in between; intermittent, irregular, unsteady.
His breathing was fitful.
Troubled by her unfinished work, she fell into a fitful sleep.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
adjective — intermittently stopping and starting
- interrupted
adjective — occurring in spells and often abruptly
Antonyms
Idioms & Phrases
Example Bank
501
Duncane is in his Graue: After Lifes fitfull Feuer, he ſleepes well, Treaſon ha's done his worſt: not Steele, not Poyſon, Mallice domeſtique, forraine Leuie, nothing, Can touch him further.
Wiktionary02
His breathing was fitful.
Wiktionary03
Troubled by her unfinished work, she fell into a fitful sleep.
Wiktionary04
Tom's fitful movements only barely resembled dancing.
Tatoeba · #1075255005
Ziri threw a fitful of mud on Rima's face and ran away.
Tatoeba · #11171409Usage Notes
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