Mawson, C.O.S., ed. (1870–1938). Roget’s International Thesaurus. 1922. Class I. Words Expressing Abstract Relations Section VII. Change 2. Complex Change 149. Changeableness.
NOUN: CHANGEABLENESS &c. adj.; mutability, inconstancy; versatility, mobility; instability, unstable equilibrium; vacillation (irresolution ) [See Irresolution ]; fluctuation, vicissitude; dysphoria; alternation (oscillation ) [See Oscillation ]; transientness [See Transience ].OMPARISONS ] moon, Proteus, kaleidoscope, chameleon, quicksilver, shifting sands, weathercock, vane, weathervane, harlequin, turncoat, Vicar of Bray, Cynthia of the minute, April showers; wheel of Fortune.RESTLESSNESS &c. adj.; fidgets, disquiet; disquietude, inquietude; unrest; agitation [See Agitation ]. VERB: FLUCTUATE, vary, waver, flounder, flicker, flitter [archaic ], flit, flutter, shift, shuffle, shake, totter, tremble, vacillate, wamble [dial. ], turn and turn about, ring the changes; sway -, shift- to and fro; change and change about; oscillate [See Oscillation ]; vibrate -, oscillate- between two extremes; alternate; have as many phases as the moon. ADJECTIVE: CHANGEABLE, changeful; changing [See Change ]; mutable, variable, checkered, ever changing, kaleidoscopic; protean, proteiform; versatile.INCONSTANT, unstaid, unsteady, unstable, unfixed, unsettled; fluctuating &c. v.; restless, uneasy; agitated [See Agitation ]; erratic, fickle; mercurial, irresolute [See Irresolution ]; capricious [See Caprice ]; touch and go; inconsonant, fitful, spasmodic; vibratory; vagrant, feathery [rare ], light-headed, wayward; desultory; afloat; alternating; alterable, plastic, mobile; transient [See Transience ]; wavering. ADVERB: SEESAW (oscillation ) [See Oscillation ]; off and on. QUOTATIONS: A rolling stone gathers no moss.
Pietra mossa non fa muschis.
Honores mutant mores.
Varium et mutabile semper femina.—Vergil
