Clavering

Part of speech: noun, verb

Definitions

1. Acting with aimless or nervous movement; displaying restless or uncoordinated gestures; behaving in a fidgety or unsettled manner
2. Exhibiting erratic or impulsive motions; showing signs of jittery or uneasy behavior; moving in a haphazard and unstable way
3. Performing quick, uneasy actions without clear purpose; demonstrating unsettled or agitated conduct; engaging in hasty, irregular movements

Etymology: In Scots, "claver" meant to chatter idly or gossip, and English took the word from that dialect. The path from talking aimlessly to fidgeting restlessly is the surprising part, and it is a long way from idle talk to physical agitation.

Synonyms: chattering, jabbering, prattling, babbling

Antonyms: silence, quietness