fitful

UK /ˈfɪtf(ʊ)l/ US /ˈfɪtf(ə)l/

adj 2

Definitions

adj

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.

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.

Collocations

VERB + FITFUL

breathing, fell, threw

FITFUL + NOUN

movements, mud

PREP.

into, on

ADV.

barely, only

Thesaurus

Synonyms

adjective — intermittently stopping and starting

interrupted

adjective — occurring in spells and often abruptly

spasmodic

Antonyms

Idioms & Phrases

Example Bank

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.

Wiktionary

His breathing was fitful.

Wiktionary

Troubled by her unfinished work, she fell into a fitful sleep.

Wiktionary

Tom's fitful movements only barely resembled dancing.

Tatoeba · #10752550

Ziri threw a fitful of mud on Rima's face and ran away.

Tatoeba · #11171409

Usage Notes

i Register

In some senses, fitful is marked as obsolete. Watch for register when choosing this word.

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