\Fluc"tu*ate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fluctuated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Fluctuating}.] [L. fluctuatus, p. p. of
fluctuare, to wave, fr. fluctus wave, fr. fluere, fluctum, to
flow. See {Fluent}, and cf. {Flotilla}.]
1. To move as a wave; to roll hither and thither; to wave; to
   float backward and forward, as on waves; as, a fluctuating
   field of air. --Blackmore.
2. To move now in one direction and now in another; to be
   wavering or unsteady; to be irresolute or undetermined; to
   vacillate.
Syn: To waver; vacillate; hesitate; scruple.
Usage: To {Fluctuate}, {Vacillate}, {Waver}. -- Fluctuate is
       applied both to things and persons and denotes that
       they move as they are acted upon. The stocks
       fluctuate; a man fluctuates between conflicting
       influences. Vacillate and waver are applied to persons
       to represent them as acting themselves. A man
       vacillates when he goes backward and forward in his
       opinions and purposes, without any fixity of mind or
       principles. A man wavers when he shrinks back or
       hesitates at the approach of difficulty or danger. One
       who is fluctuating in his feelings is usually
       vacillating in resolve, and wavering in execution.

\Fluc"tu*ate\, v. t.
To cause to move as a wave; to put in motion. [R.]
      And fluctuate all the still perfume.     --Tennyson.