I. ˈdith]ə(r) sometimes -th] verb
( dithered ; dithered ; dithering ](ə)riŋ ; dithers )
Etymology: alteration of didder
intransitive verb
1. : shiver , shake , tremble
the dithering of grass — Wallace Stevens
2. : to act or move nervously, hesitantly, confusedly, or without clear purpose
the stage manager was dithering in the wings
: act indecisively : vacillate , waver
faced with unpleasant choices she merely dithers
3. : babble
dithering on the phone
transitive verb
: to cause confusion, concern, or nervous agitation in
wild rumors of war dithered the population
II. noun
( -s )
1. dialect England : a trembling, shaking, or quivering especially with cold
2. : a state of strong excitement or agitation
the outbreak of war threw all parties into a dither
• dith·ery ](ə)rē adjective