flutter
English
Etymology
From Middle English floteren, from Old English floterian, flotorian (“to float about, flutter”). Cognate with Low German fluttern, fluddern (“to flutter”) and Albanian flutur (“butterfly”). More at float.
Pronunciation
Verb
flutter (third-person singular simple present flutters, present participle fluttering, simple past and past participle fluttered)
- (intransitive) To flap or wave quickly but irregularly.
- flags fluttering in the wind
- 1907, Robert Chambers, chapter 3, The Younger Set[1]:
- Long after his cigar burnt bitter, he sat with eyes fixed on the blaze. When the flames at last began to flicker and subside, his lids fluttered, then drooped ; … .
- (intransitive) Of a winged animal: to flap the wings without flying; to fly with a light flapping of the wings.
- 1900, L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
- Banks of gorgeous flowers were on every hand, and birds with rare and brilliant plumage sang and fluttered in the trees and bushes.
- 1900, L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
- (transitive) To cause something to flap.
Translations
to flap or wave quickly
to flap the wings without flying
to cause something to flutter
Noun
Wikipedia flutter (plural flutters)
- The act of fluttering.
- A state of agitation.
- An abnormal rapid pulsation of the heart.
- (UK) 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
Derived terms
Translations
act of fluttering
abnormal rapid pulsation of heart
small bet
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