Fluc"tu*ate (?), v. i. [imp. &
p. p. Fluctuated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Fluctuating (?).] [L. fluctuatus, p. p. of
fluctuare, to wave, fr. fluctus wave, fr.
fluere, fluctum, to flow. See Fluent, and cf.
Flotilla.] 1. To move as a wave; to roll
hither and thither; to wave; to float backward and forward, as on
waves; as, a fluctuating field of air.
Blackmore.
2. To move now in one direction and now in
another; to be wavering or unsteady; to be irresolute or
undetermined; to vacillate.
Syn. -- To waver; vacillate; hesitate; scruple. -- To
Fluctuate, Vacillate, Waver. -- Fluctuate
is applied both to things and persons and denotes that they move as
they are acted upon. The stocks fluctuate; a man
fluctuates between conflicting influences. Vacillate
and waver are applied to persons to represent them as acting
themselves. A man vacillates when he goes backward and forward
in his opinions and purposes, without any fixity of mind or
principles. A man wavers when he shrinks back or hesitates at
the approach of difficulty or danger. One who is fluctuating
in his feelings is usually vacillating in resolve, and
wavering in execution.
Fluc"tu*ate, v. t. To cause to
move as a wave; to put in motion. [R.]
And fluctuate all the still
perfume.
Tennyson.
