Jactitate

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To toss or shake the body or limbs restlessly or repeatedly ; to throw or toss about with vigor or agitation ; to exhibit ostentatiously or boastfully
2. To move or toss about in a jerky or restless manner ; to shake or wave with energy or agitation ; to display in a showy or vainglorious way
3. To agitate by throwing or tossing from side to side ; to move about noisily or restlessly ; to parade proudly or to brag ostentatiously

Etymology: Latin "iactitare" was a frequentative of "iacere," "to throw," so its core sense was repeated tossing. Roman writers used it of people tossing and turning, for example in bed or in anguish, and also of things being flung about. That physical sense is the one English kept when "jactitate" arrived in 1822, borrowed from the perfect passive participle "iactitatus," which the Latin verb "iactitare" produced from "iacere" and the frequentative suffix "-itare." The English verb has since picked up a second, social sense: to put something on display, or to parade one's qualities with boastful show. The shift runs from the body's restless movements to the self's restless display, so the word went from describing someone who cannot keep still to someone who cannot stop showing off.

Synonyms: toss, throw about, writhe

Antonyms: still, steady