flutter Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the act of moving back and forth
    flicker; waver.
  2. noun abnormally rapid beating of the auricles of the heart (especially in a regular rhythm); can result in heart block
  3. noun a disorderly outburst or tumult
    to-do; disturbance; hurly burly; kerfuffle; commotion; disruption; hoo-ha; hoo-hah.
    • they were amazed by the furious disturbance they had caused
  4. noun the motion made by flapping up and down
    fluttering; flap; flapping.
  5. verb move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
    flit; dart; fleet.
    • The hummingbird flitted among the branches
  6. verb move back and forth very rapidly
    flitter; flicker; quiver; waver.
    • the candle flickered
  7. verb flap the wings rapidly or fly with flapping movements
    • The seagulls fluttered overhead
  8. verb beat rapidly
    palpitate.
    • His heart palpitated
  9. verb wink briefly
    bat.
    • bat one's eyelids

WordNet

Flut"ter transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To vibrate or move quickly; as, a bird flutters its wings.
  2. To drive in disorder; to throw into confusion.
    Like an eagle in a dovecote, I Fluttered your Volscians in Corioli. Shak.
Flut"ter noun
Definitions
  1. The act of fluttering; quick and irregular motion; vibration; as, the flutter of a fan.
    The chirp and flutter of some single bird Milnes. .
  2. Hurry; tumult; agitation of the mind; confusion; disorder. Pope.

Webster 1913