flut·ter (fl t  r)v. flut·tered, flut·ter·ing, flut·ters v.intr. 1. To wave or flap rapidly in an irregular manner: curtains that fluttered in the breeze. 2. a. To fly by a quick light flapping of the wings. b. To flap the wings without flying. 3. To move or fall in a manner suggestive of tremulous flight: "Her arms rose, fell, and fluttered with the rhythm of the song" (Evelyn Waugh). 4. To vibrate or beat rapidly or erratically: My heart fluttered wildly. 5. To move quickly in a nervous, restless, or excited fashion; flit. v.tr. To cause to flutter: "fluttering her bristly black lashes as swiftly as butterflies' wings" (Margaret Mitchell). n. 1. The act of fluttering. 2. A condition of nervous excitement or agitation: Everyone was in a flutter over the news that the director was resigning. 3. A commotion; a stir. 4. Pathology Abnormally rapid pulsation, especially of the atria or ventricles of the heart. 5. Rapid fluctuation in the pitch of a sound reproduction resulting from variations in the speed of the recording or reproducing equipment. 6. Chiefly British A small bet; a gamble: "If they like a flutter, Rick will get them better odds than the bookies" (John le Carré). [Middle English floteren, from Old English floterian; see pleu- in Indo-European roots.] flut ter·er n.flut ter·y adj. |
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