Flutter
WordNet
noun
(1) The act of moving back and forth
(2) The motion made by flapping up and down
(3) A disorderly outburst or tumult
"They were amazed by the furious disturbance they had caused"
(4) Abnormally rapid beating of the auricles of the heart (especially in a regular rhythm); can result in heart block
verb
(5) Wink briefly
"Bat one's eyelids"
(6) Move back and forth very rapidly
"The candle flickered"
(7) Beat rapidly
"His heart palpitated"
(8) Move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
"The hummingbird flitted among the branches"
(9) Flag the wings rapidly or fly with flapping movements
"The seagulls fluttered overhead"
WiktionaryText
Verb
- To flap or wave quickly but irregularly.
- flags fluttering in the wind
- Of a winged animal: to flap the wings without flying; to fly with a light flapping of the wings.
- To cause something to flap.
Noun
- The act of fluttering.
- A state of agitation.
- An abnormal rapid pulsation of the heart.
- A small bet or risky investment.
- 1915: W. Somerset Maugham, Of Human Bondage, Ch. 93
- "Oh, by the way, I heard of a rather good thing today, New Kleinfonteins; it's a gold mine in Rhodesia. If you'd like to have a flutter you might make a bit."
- So with his victory odds currently at 14/1 or 3/1 for the podium, he's still most certainly well worth a flutter... - Gray Matter: How will Schu do?
- 1915: W. Somerset Maugham, Of Human Bondage, Ch. 93