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Fistful vs Fitful - What's the difference?

fistful | fitful |

As a noun fistful

is the amount that can be held in a closed fist.

As an adjective fitful is

irregular; unsteady; characterized by fits.

fistful

English

Noun

(en-noun)
  • the amount that can be held in a closed fist

    • Synonyms

    * handful

    fitful

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Irregular; unsteady; characterized by fits.
    • His breathing was fitful .
  • *1605 , Shakespeare, Macbeth ,
    • [...] Duncan is in his grave;
    After life's fitful fever he sleeps well;
  • *1851 ,
  • *:The cabin lamp—taking long swings this way and that— was burning fitfully, and casting fitful shadows upon the old man’s bolted door [...]
  • *2012 , The Economist, The economy: Don’t say “green shoots”
  • *:So fitful has Britain’s economy been that any good news is understandably snatched at.

    • Derived terms

    * fitfully * fitfulness