shifting
/ˈʃɪftɪŋ/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.98 in modern English
15
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
2
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
The phenomenon by which two or more constituents appearing on the same side of their common head exchange positions to obtain non-canonical order.
Example Sentences
- "I remember the last time I saw Macbeth played, the discrepancy I felt at the changes of garment which he varied, the shiftings and reshiftings, like a Romish priest at mass."
- "But shiftings and readjustments ensued, as they are sure to do with a walking-party. Cope presently found himself scuffling through the thin grass and the briery thickets alongside the young business-man."
- "Then everyone moved at the same time — slight shiftings of the hands and feet, furtive easings of position."