inconstancy; versatility, mobility; instability, unstable equilibrium;
vacillation &c (irresolution) 605; fluctuation, vicissitude;
alternation &c (oscillation) 314.
restlessness &c adj.. fidgets, disquiet; disquietude, inquietude;
unrest; agitation &c 315.
moon, Proteus, chameleon, quicksilver, shifting sands,
weathercock, harlequin, Cynthia of the minute, April showers†; wheel of
Fortune; transientness &c 111 [Obs.].
V. fluctuate, vary, waver, flounder, flicker, flitter, flit, flutter,
shift, shuffle, shake, totter, tremble, vacillate, wamble†, turn and
turn about, ring the changes; sway to and fro, shift to and fro; change
and change about; waffle, blow with the wind (irresolute) 605;
oscillate &c 314; vibrate between, two extremes, oscillate between, two
extremes; alternate; have as man phases as the moon.
Adj. changeable, changeful; changing &c 140; mutable, variable,
checkered, ever changing; protean, proteiform†; versatile.
unstaid†, inconstant; unsteady, unstable, unfixed, unsettled;
fluctuating &c v.; restless; agitated &c 315; erratic, fickle;
irresolute &c 605; capricious &c 608; touch and go; inconsonant,
fitful, spasmodic; vibratory; vagrant, wayward; desultory; afloat;
alternating; alterable, plastic, mobile; transient &c 111; wavering.
Adv. seesaw &c (oscillation) 314; off and on.
Phr. a rolling stone gathers no moss; pictra mossa non fa muschis [It];
honores mutant mores [Lat.]; varium et mutabile semper femina [Lat.]
[Vergil].