different between unsteadily vs fitfully

English

Etymology

unsteady +? -ly

Pronunciation

Adverb

unsteadily (comparative more unsteadily, superlative most unsteadily)

1. In an unsteady manner, so as to shake or falter.

   He climbed the stairs unsteadily, grasping the banister and gasping for breath.

2. In an uncertain manner; with hesitation or timidity.

   • "I reckon. It's powerful fine to hear that," replied Lassiter, unsteadily.

English

Etymology

fitful +? -ly

Pronunciation

Adverb

fitfully (comparative more fitfully, superlative most fitfully)

1. In a fitful manner; irregularly or unsteadily.

   Synonyms: in fits and starts; see also Thesaurus:discontinuously

   • 1851, Herman Melville, Moby Dick, chapter 123

     The cabin lamp—taking long swings this way and that— was burning fitfully, and casting fitful shadows upon the old man’s bolted door […]

   • 1886, Henry James, The Bostonians, chapter 36

     The train for Marmion left Boston at four o'clock in the afternoon, and rambled fitfully toward the southern cape, while the shadows grew long in the stony pastures […]

Translations