Balancing unsteadily, moving back and forth as if about to fall; or being in an unstable or uncertain situation.
From 'teter' or 'teeter' which possibly comes from Scandinavian languages meaning to sway or rock. Related to 'totter,' both expressing unstable movement.
A teetering seesaw perfectly demonstrates physics: two children of equal weight balance perfectly at the fulcrum, but if one is slightly heavier, the system constantly teeter-totters—it's why that playground toy has that iconic name!
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