Adjective

(-)

Occurring or appearing irregularly from time to time.

Not very often.

*{{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)

, chapter=7 citation , passage=The highway to the East Coast which ran through the borough of Ebbfield had always been a main road and even now, despite the vast garages, the pylons and the gaily painted factory glasshouses which had sprung up beside it, there still remained an occasional trace of past cultures.}}

*

Created for a specific occasion.

Intended for use as the occasion requires.

Acting in the indicated role from time to time.

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.