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A motion like that of waves; a moving in this and that direction; as, the fluctuations of the sea.

A flowing back; refluence.

A concurrence of three waves. [Obs.] "A trifluctuation of evils." Sir T. Browne.

A fluctuation of mind arising from defect of knowledge or evidence; uncertainty of judgment or mind; unsettled state of opinion concerning the reality of an event, or the truth of an assertion, etc.; hesitation. Doubt is the beginning and the end of our efforts to know. Sir W. Hamilton. Doubt, in order to be operative…

afford great opportunity for stock gambling, since they have no intrinsic value, and the fluctuations in their prices are artificial. -- Fancy store, one where articles of fancy and ornament are sold. -- Fancy woods, the more rare and expensive furniture woods, as mahogany, satinwood, rosewood, etc.…

showing undulation or fluctuation; as, a fluctuant tumor.

Income; gain. [R.] Many incomings are subject to great fluctuations. Tooke.

Want of resolution; want of decision in purpose; a fluctuation of mind, as in doubt, or between hope and fear; irresoluteness; indecision; vacillation. Irresolution on the schemes of life which offer themselves to our choice, and inconstancy in pursuing them, are the greatest causes of all unhappiness. Addison.…

An instrument for recording minor fluctuations of atmospheric pressure, as opposed to general barometric surges.

Fluctuation; variation; change back and forth. His mind oscillated, undoubtedly; but the extreme points of the oscillation were not very remote. Macaulay. Axis of oscillation, Center of oscillation. See under Axis, and Center.

To make a small, quick profit by slight fluctuations of the market; -- said of brokers who operate in this way on their own account. [Cant]

broker who, dealing on his own account, tries to get a small and quick profit from slight fluctuations of the market. [Cant]

n; one who buys and sells goods, land, etc., with the expectation of deriving profit from fluctuations in price.

A record of fluctuations of temperature made automatically at a distant station.

rom an oscillator or generator, as in wireless telegraphy. A telephone transmitter causes fluctuations in these waves, it being the fluctuations only which affect the receiver.