Skitterer

A 'skitterer' is a noun describing something or someone that moves rapidly and lightly across a surface, often in a jerky or erratic manner. This movement implies a sense of quickness and agility, frequently associated with small animals or objects. The action is often caused by a loss of control, fear, or haste, but also can involve the deliberate application of these to perform a specific task that requires this type of movement, whether that be finding food or escaping danger. The term emphasizes the superficial nature of the movement, focusing on speed and brevity rather than the methodical. Think of insects running away, or objects sliding in one direction very quickly.

Skitterer meaning with examples

• The tiny spider, a blur of legs, was a frantic skitterer across the sun-drenched windowsill. Its quick movement highlighted the way the sun illuminated it from behind. It was clearly searching for its prey. The child giggled, fascinated by the skitterer's desperate search. Its delicate movements captivated their attention, making the spider's actions seem intentional.
• During the sudden downpour, the discarded leaves became skitterers, blown across the wet pavement by the gusting wind. The small leaves were blown in an arbitrary order, a skittering display of nature's forces. The children ran giggling, they were laughing at the skitterer leaves. The scene was an unusual sight.
• The marbles, released from the child's grip, became a chorus of skitterers on the polished wooden floor. They rapidly traversed the flat floor. The sudden change from still to moving caught the cat's attention. The cat pounced, ready to hunt the skitterers. The sound was both a surprise, but also familiar.
• The nervous comedian was a skitterer on stage, their eyes darting, their jokes delivered in rapid-fire succession. Their speed and quick wit allowed them to get through the show. Their actions were born out of fear, but also confidence. The audience found the skitterer comedian, quite funny.
• As the ice began to melt, small pieces of hail became skitterers across the car's hood. The melting ice and fast speed of the hail created a strange sight. The skitterers were quickly disappearing, but during the process, an unusual sight could be seen by the sun's rays. Their unusual movement was caused by friction and speed.