noun a wobbling or unsteady movement
verb to move unsteadily or sway back and forth
In engineering, 'teeter' may refer to a type of mechanism or device that is designed to pivot or oscillate back and forth.
In physics, the word 'teeter' can be used to describe an object that is in a state of unstable equilibrium, where it is balanced but easily tipped one way or the other.
In the context of children's play, 'teeter' is often used to describe a seesaw or teeter-totter, a playground equipment that moves up and down as children play on it.
In a literary context, the word 'teeter' may be used to describe a character's uncertain or wavering mental state, such as 'She teetered on the edge of sanity.'
A psychologist may use the term 'teeter' to describe a patient's emotional instability or indecisiveness, as in 'He seems to be teetering between two conflicting emotions.'
An architect may use 'teeter' to describe the precarious balance of a structure, such as 'The building appeared to teeter on the edge of collapse.'
A financial analyst may use 'teeter' to describe the fluctuating or unstable nature of a stock or market, as in 'The stock price continued to teeter throughout the day.'
A politician may use 'teeter' to describe the delicate balance of power or public opinion, as in 'The candidate's popularity began to teeter after the scandal.'