dither — English Dictionary

Verb

1. To tremble, shake, or shiver.

   Usage

   • Intransitive
   • literally

   Examples

   Presently he came running out of the scullery, with the soapy water dripping from him, dithering with cold.

2. To be uncertain or unable to make a decision; to vacillate, hesitate, or delay.

   Usage

   • Figurative
   • Intransitive

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   2012, The Economist, Sept. 22nd issue, "Indian Reform: At Last" The dithering Mr Singh of recent times may worry that his reform proposals are already too bold. The reforming Mr Singh of yore would see them as just the start.

3. To do something nervously.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

4. To apply an algorithm to digital data to minimize the effects of quantization: To use dot patterns in an image or graphic to simulate colors or shades not in the system palette.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Examples

   Look at how pixelly this wall texture is. You almost don't even notice the dithering when driving by quick. Up close though, it's real chunky.

5. To apply an algorithm to digital data to minimize the effects of quantization: To intentionally add noise to a signal to remove artifacts caused by digitization.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

Noun

1. Trembling, shaking, or shivering.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Intransitive
   • Uncountable

2. A state of nervous excitement.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Intransitive
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Everyone was in a dither; either in it or about to get in it or just climbing out of it. Naturally, the Madam was not in a dither. Dither was a foreign concept to her.

3. The state of being undecided; indecision; vacillation.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Intransitive
   • Uncountable

4. Any algorithm applied to digital data to minimize the effects of quantization: A form of noise intentionally added to remove artifacts caused by digitization.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Intransitive
   • Uncountable

5. Any algorithm applied to digital data to minimize the effects of quantization: The use of dot patterns in an image or graphic to approximate colors not available in the system palette.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Intransitive
   • Uncountable

Noun

1. an excited state of agitation

   Synonyms

   potherfusstizzyflap

   Broader terms

   agitation

   Examples

   he was in a dither

   there was a terrible flap about the theft

Verb

1. act nervously; be undecided; be uncertain

   Broader terms

   fret

2. make a fuss; be agitated

   Synonyms

   flappother

   Broader terms

   fussnigglefret