fitful

puuskittainen irregular Irregular; unsteady; characterized by fits.

His breathing was fitful.

... Duncan is in his grave;

After life's fitful fever he sleeps well;

The cabin lamp—taking long swings this way and that— was burning fitfully, and casting fitful shadows upon the old man’s bolted door ...

So fitful has Britain’s economy been that any good news is understandably snatched at.