Fitfully

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a sporadic manner, occurrences can take place with sudden starts and stops while not maintaining a steady rhythm
2. Occurring in an irregular or inconsistent way, actions may begin and halt suddenly without an unbroken flow
3. Characterized by periodic interruptions, events can transpire with brief bursts and pauses instead of a continuous sequence

Etymology: "Fitfully" is simple in construction: it is "fitful" with the adverb ending "-ly" attached. The more interesting history lies in that ending. It descends from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "body" or "form", which passed into Proto-Germanic as a word for "shape" and then became a suffix meaning "having the form or appearance of." Over the centuries that sense wore down to "in the manner of," so that "-ly" now turns almost any adjective into an adverb of manner. The suffix took its present spelling in Middle English, descending from Old English "-līċe," which was attached to adjectives to make adverbs much as "-ly" is today. The adjective it joins, "fitful," is a plainer English formation, built from "fit" in the older sense of a sudden bout or spell (as in a fit of coughing) plus "-ful," meaning "full of." So "fitful" describes something full of spells, and "fitfully" describes acting in that manner: in starts and stops, with irregular bursts of effort or activity.

Synonyms: irregularly, inconsistently, intermittently

Antonyms: consistently, regularly, steadily