jitter

[jit-er]

noun

1. (the) jitters, nervousness; a feeling of fright or uneasiness.

   Every time I have to make a speech, I get the jitters.

2. fluctuations in the image on a television screen or in copy received by facsimile transmission, caused by interference or by momentary failures of synchronization.

3. Computers.,  delay or unevenness in an audio or video signal caused by inconsistency in the interval between the sending and receiving of data packets over a network connection (also used attributively).

   Using this algorithm dramatically increases throughput while reducing jitter and end-to-end delay.

   The jitter buffer collects incoming data packets and sends them on to the receiver at a consistent rate.

verb (used without object)

1. to feel or express nervousness or behave nervously.

   There are some people who jitter about every new technology.

   As soon as I’m five minutes late coming home, my parents start jittering.

2. to move rapidly and unevenly, often with small movements.

   My heartbeat jittered as I waited for the boss in her office.

   I watched as his expert fingers jittered across the keyboard.

3. (of transmitted images or sounds) to undergo delayed or uneven reception.

   How can I keep the picture from jittering when I’m gaming?

   I missed parts of the meeting because my computer's audio jittered.

4. to vary or fluctuate slightly.

   The difference between time allotted and time used will likely jitter by a day or two for each phase of your project.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to move or shake rapidly, often with small movements.

   We drove over a rough patch that jittered the car a bit.

   He slammed the door so hard it jittered the window blinds.

2. Computers.,  to intentionally introduce slight variation or fluctuation in (digital images or sounds) in order to achieve a desired effect; stagger or offset.

   I had the program jitter the data points to avoid overlap when graphing the results.

   You can create a trailing blur behind a moving object if you jitter the object, dimming it at each successive position.

jitter

/ ˈdʒɪtə /

verb

1. (intr) to be anxious or nervous

noun

1. nervousness and anxiety

2. electronics small rapid variations in the amplitude or timing of a waveform arising from fluctuations in the voltage supply, mechanical vibrations, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of jitter¹

First recorded in 1920–25; variant of chitter “to shiver” ( Middle English chiteren ), modification or variant of chatter

Word History and Origins

Origin of jitter¹

C20: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Their looming shutdown is creating jitters about higher prices at the pump.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Now, jitters are growing about loose lending in those markets, set off by the sudden collapse of auto-parts conglomerate First Brands, which borrowed about $11 billion from creditors, and others.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Growing jitters about an AI bubble and inflation could inject even more volatility into financial markets beyond this month, he added.

Read more on BBC

The third quarter was largely strong for company earnings—Nvidia reported record sales and strong guidance Wednesday, helping soothe jitters about an artificial-intelligence bubble.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Estimates for the retailer’s earnings and same-store sales have edged down slightly in the past few weeks, reflecting stock market jitters about demand for home improvement throughout the third quarter.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• convulse 
• pulsate 
• shiver 
• shudder 
• throb 
• tremble