shifting

plural shiftings

1. A shift or change; a shifting movement.

   Then everyone moved at the same time — slight shiftings of the hands and feet, furtive easings of position.

   1978, Jack Vance, The View from Chickweed's Window

   2 more examples

   I remember the last time I saw Macbeth played, the discrepancy I felt at the changes of garment which he varied, the shiftings and reshiftings, like a Romish priest at mass.

   1811, Charles Lamb, On the Tragedies of Shakespeare Considered with Reference to their Fitness for Stage Representation

   But shiftings and readjustments ensued, as they are sure to do with a walking-party. Cope presently found himself scuffling through the thin grass and the briery thickets alongside the young business-man.

   1919, Henry B[lake] Fuller, “Cope at His House Party”, in Bertram Cope’s Year: A Novel, Chicago, Ill.: Ralph Fletcher Seymour, The Alderbrink Press, →OCLC, page 94

2. human sciencesThe phenomenon by which two or more constituents appearing on the same side of their common head exchange positions to obtain non-canonical order.

1. gerundparticiplepresentpresent participle and gerund of shift