on-and-offstillness
nounUK /ˌɒn ənd ˈɒfˌstɪlnəs/
US /ˌɑːn ənd ˈɔːfˌstɪlnəs/
A stillness that keeps starting and stopping.
The pond had an on-and-offstillness as the wind kept pausing and blowing again.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A quiet that comes and goes in short bursts.
The baby's on-and-offstillness made it hard to tell if she was finally asleep.
3. A moment of calm that is interrupted again and again.
During the storm, there was an on-and-offstillness between the gusts of rain.
4. A stop-and-go feeling of peace that never lasts long.
The classroom showed an on-and-offstillness as the teacher waited for everyone to settle.