motion; a
monarch _sways_ the scepter; the ruffian _brandishes_ a club. To _reel_
or _totter_ always implies liability to fall; _reeling_ is more violent
than _swaying_, _tottering_ more irregular; a drunken man _reels_; we
speak of the _tottering_ step of age or infancy. An extended mass which
seems to lack solidity or cohesion is said to _quake_; as, a _quaking_
bog. _Quaver_ is applied almost exclusively to tremulous sounds of the
human voice. _Flap_, _flutter_, and _fluctuate_ refer to wave-like
movements, _flap_ generally to such as produce a sharp sound; a cock
_flaps_ his wings; _flutter_ applies to a less pronounced and more
irregular motion; a captive bird or a feeble pulse _flutters_. Compare
FLUCTUATE.

* * * * *

SHELTER.

Synonyms:

cover, guard, protect, shield,
defend, harbor, screen, ward.

Anything is _covered_ over which something is completely extended; a
vessel is _covered_ with a lid; the head is _covered_ with a hat. That
which _covers_ may also _defend_ or _protect_; thus, troops interposed
between some portion of their own army and the enemy are often called a
_covering_ party. To _shelter_ is to _cover_ so as to _protect_ from
injury or annoyance; as, the roof _shelters_ from the storm; woods
_shelter_ from the heat. To _defend_ (L. _defendere_, to strike away)
implies the actual, _protect_ (L. _protegere_, to cover before) implies
the possible use of force or resisting power; _guard_ implies sustained
vigilance with readiness for conflict; we _defend_ a person or thing
against actual attack; we _guard_ or _protect_ against possible assault
or injury. A powerful person may _protect_ one who is weak by simply
declaring himself his friend; he _defends_ him by some form of active
championship. An inanimate object may _protect_, as a garment from cold;
_defend_ is used but rarely, and by somewhat violent metaphor, in such
connection. _Protect_ is more complete than _guard_ or _defend_; an
object may be faithfully _guarded_ or bravely _defended_ in vain, but
that which is _protected_ is secure. To _shield_ is to interpose
something over or before that which is assailed, so as to save from
harm, and has a comparatively passive sense; one may _guard_ another by
standing armed at his side, _defend_ him by fighting for him, or
_shield_ him from a missile or a blow by interposing his own person.
_Harbor_ is generally used in an unfavorable sense; confede