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. |
flutter Verb 1. to wave rapidly 2. (of birds or butterflies) to flap the wings 3. to move with an irregular motion 4. Pathol (of the heart) to beat abnormally rapidly 5. to move about restlessly Noun 1. a quick flapping or vibrating motion 2. a state of nervous excitement or confusion 3. excited interest 4. Brit informal a modest bet 5. Pathol an abnormally rapid beating of the heart 6. Electronics a slow variation in pitch in a sound-reproducing system [Old English floterian to float to and fro] Flutter of cardiologists— Mensa.
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms | Noun | 1. | flutter - the act of moving back and forthmovement, motility, motion, move - a change of position that does not entail a change of location; "the reflex motion of his eyebrows revealed his surprise"; "movement is a sign of life"; "an impatient move of his hand"; "gastrointestinal motility" | | 2. | flutter - abnormally rapid beating of the auricles of the heart (especially in a regular rhythm); can result in heart block | | 3. | flutter - a disorderly outburst or tumult; "they were amazed by the furious disturbance they had caused"disorder - a disturbance of the peace or of public order earthquake - a disturbance that is extremely disruptive; "selling the company caused an earthquake among the employees" incident - a public disturbance; "the police investigated an incident at the bus station" stir, splash - a prominent or sensational but short-lived news event; "he made a great splash and then disappeared" tempest, storm - a violent commotion or disturbance; "the storms that had characterized their relationship had died away"; "it was only a tempest in a teapot" | | 4. | flutter - the motion made by flapping up and down | | Verb | 1. | flutter - move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart; "The hummingbird flitted among the branches" | | 2. | flutter - move back and forth very rapidly; "the candle flickered" | | 3. | flutter - flap the wings rapidly or fly with flapping movements; "The seagulls fluttered overhead"flap, beat - move with a thrashing motion; "The bird flapped its wings"; "The eagle beat its wings and soared high into the sky" | | 4. | flutter - beat rapidly; "His heart palpitated"palpitate - cause to throb or beat rapidly; "Her violent feelings palpitated the young woman's heart" | | 5. | flutter - wink briefly; "bat one's eyelids" |
flutter verb 1. beat, bat, flap, tremble, shiver, flicker, ripple, waver, fluctuate, agitate, ruffle, quiver, vibrate, palpitate
Translations flutter [ˈflʌtəʳ] n [ of wings] → revoloteo, aleteo; (col) (= bet); apuesta
flutter [ˈflʌtəʳ] n [ of panic, excitement] → agitation f [ of wings]; battement m
flutter [ˈflʌtəʳ] n → Flattern nt; ( of panic, nerves) → kurzer Anfall m; ( of excitement) → Beben nt
flutter [ˈflʌtəʳ] n → agitazione f [ of wings] → frullio
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